GCC usage IIRC exploded when Sun made their compiler suite extra paid option instead of bundled as part of standard SunOS install.
Before that, GCC was of interest particularly on platforms that didn't provide good CC - a lot more platforms with various quality of software - by comparison the big name workstation vendors that survived longer also had higher quality compilers.
When compiler suite was included by standard, GCC had much less of a benefit to many users (I think gdb actually might have driven more?)
Before that, GCC was of interest particularly on platforms that didn't provide good CC - a lot more platforms with various quality of software - by comparison the big name workstation vendors that survived longer also had higher quality compilers.
When compiler suite was included by standard, GCC had much less of a benefit to many users (I think gdb actually might have driven more?)