Why recommend to `brew install gcc` after install? #6676

joshinils · 2026-01-26T11:33:03Z

joshinils
Jan 26, 2026

Output of `brew config`

HOMEBREW_VERSION: 5.0.12
ORIGIN: https://github.com/Homebrew/brew
HEAD: d01011cac6d72032c75fd2cd9489909e95d9faf2
Last commit: 17 hours ago
Branch: stable
Core tap JSON: 26 Jan 10:19 UTC
HOMEBREW_PREFIX: /home/linuxbrew/.linuxbrew
HOMEBREW_CASK_OPTS: []
HOMEBREW_DISPLAY: :0
HOMEBREW_DOWNLOAD_CONCURRENCY: 32
HOMEBREW_FORBID_PACKAGES_FROM_PATHS: set
HOMEBREW_MAKE_JOBS: 16
HOMEBREW_NO_ANALYTICS: set
Homebrew Ruby: 3.4.8 => /home/linuxbrew/.linuxbrew/Homebrew/Library/Homebrew/vendor/portable-ruby/3.4.8/bin/ruby
CPU: 16-core 64-bit zen3
Clang: N/A
Git: 2.39.5 => /bin/git
Curl: 7.88.1 => /bin/curl
Kernel: Linux 6.1.0-41-amd64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
OS: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) (bookworm)
Host glibc: 2.36
Host libstdc++: 6.0.30
/usr/bin/gcc-12: 12.2.0
/usr/bin/ruby: 3.1.2
glibc: N/A
gcc@12: N/A
gcc: N/A
xorg: N/A

Output of `brew doctor`

Your system is ready to brew.

Description of issue

I am confused as to why the next steps section from the installer mentions I should install gcc.
I have gcc installed, just not from brew; gcc --version:

gcc (Debian 12.2.0-14+deb12u1) 12.2.0
Copyright (C) 2022 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO
warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

What would be the difference/benefit, why is it suggesting it?
Could this section in the installer check if GCC exists and omit printing it?

Edit:
Oh, and if it installs it as a dependency anyway, why is the hint necessary at all?

SMillerDev · 2026-01-26T12:36:41Z

SMillerDev
Jan 26, 2026
Collaborator

It was introduced in Homebrew/install#270 as part of the porting of Linuxbrew. The reason why it was there might be lost to the ages. If you think it's better hidden you can make a pull request to remove it.

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Homebrew

Why recommend to `brew install gcc` after install? #6676

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Homebrew

Why recommend to brew install gcc after install? #6676

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joshinils Jan 26, 2026

Output of brew config

Output of brew doctor

Description of issue

Replies: 1 comment

Uh oh!

SMillerDev Jan 26, 2026 Collaborator

Why recommend to `brew install gcc` after install? #6676

joshinils
Jan 26, 2026

Output of `brew config`

Output of `brew doctor`

SMillerDev
Jan 26, 2026
Collaborator