I hate GCC too. It's bloated, takes aaaaages to compile, and doesn't produce the best code. Not to mention that it's a total pain in the ass to install. I'd rather use SAS/C any day.
That said, GCC is unique in that it's the most compatible compiler. It'll work for all systems and produce any kind of file you want, ELF, EHF, whatever. It also makes porting *ix apps quick and easy. It's the perfect choice of a standard.
