Compatibility

FAQ

  1. Can I use Boost with my existing C++ project?

    Yes, Boost is designed to work with your existing C++ code. You can add Boost libraries to any project that uses a compatible C++ compiler. The big three compatible compilers are Microsoft Visual C++ on Windows, Clang especially for the macOS, and GCC, the GNU Compiler Collection, mostly on Linux. Other lesser used compilers that will work well include the Intel Compiler and MinGW - Minimalist GNU for Windows.

  2. Can I use Boost libraries with the new C++ standards?

    Yes, Boost libraries are designed to work with modern C++ standards including C++11, C++14, C++17, C++20, and C++23.

  3. What flavors of Linux are supported by the Boost libraries?

    Boost libraries are generally compatible with most Linux distributions, provided that the distribution has an up-to-date C++ compiler. This includes:

    • Ubuntu

    • Fedora

    • Debian

    • CentOS

    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux

    • Rocky Linux / AlmaLinux

    • Arch Linux

    • openSUSE

    • SUSE Linux Enterprise

    • Slackware

    • Gentoo

    • Cray Linux

    • HPC cluster Linux

    • macOS

      Boost also works on embedded Linux, including:

    • Yocto Linux

    • Buildroot

    • Raspberry Pi OS (Debian based)

      Be aware with embedded systems there might be issues such as toolchain availability and available RAM during compilation.

  4. How can I be sure that a library I want to use is compatible with my OS?

    While Boost strives to ensure compatibility with a wide range of compilers and systems, not every library may work perfectly with every system or compiler due to the inherent complexities of software. The most reliable source of information is the specific Boost library’s documentation.

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