The GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) is a set of programming tools that translates source code written in various programming languages into machine code, which can be executed by a computer. Initially developed for the C programming language, GCC now supports languages like C++, Fortran, Ada, and Objective-C. It is widely used in software development and is an essential component of many operating systems, including Linux. GCC is open-source software, meaning that its source code is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. This has led to a large community of developers contributing to its improvement and expansion. GCC is known for its performance optimization capabilities, making it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced programmers.