Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC

++/C++ Compiler
Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler

Contents
Chapter 1: Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler
Get Started on Linux* ................................................................................4
Get Started on Windows* ...........................................................................7
Compile and Execute Sample Code ............................................................ 10

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 Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler 1

Get Started with the Intel®

oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler 1
The Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler provides optimizations that help your applications run faster on
Intel® 64 architectures on Windows* and Linux*, with support for the latest C, C++, and SYCL language
standards. This compiler produces optimized code that can run significantly faster by taking advantage of the
ever-increasing core count and vector register width in Intel® Xeon® processors and compatible processors.
The Intel® Compiler will help you boost application performance through superior optimizations and Single
Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) vectorization, integration with Intel® Performance Libraries, and by
leveraging the OpenMP* 5.0/5.1 parallel programming model.
The Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler compiles C++-based SYCL* source files for a wide range of
compute accelerators.
The Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler is part of the Intel® oneAPI Toolkits.

Find More

NOTE
Explore the complete list of oneAPI code samples in the oneAPI Samples Catalog (GitHub*). These
samples were designed to help you develop, offload, and optimize multiarchitecture applications
targeting CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs.

Content Description and Links

Release Notes Visit the Release Notes page for known issues and the most up-to-
date information.

Intel® oneAPI Programming Guide Provides details on the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler
programming model, including details about SYCL* and OpenMP*
offload, programming for various target accelerators, and
introductions to the Intel® oneAPI libraries.

Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Explore Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler features and setup and
Compiler Developer Guide and get more detailed information about compiler options, attributes, and
Reference more.

• Intel® oneAPI Data Parallel C+ Ask questions and find answers in the Intel® oneAPI Data Parallel C+
+ Forum + and Intel® C++ Compiler forums.
• Intel® C++ Compiler Forum

Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Explore tutorials, training materials, and other Intel® oneAPI
Compiler Documentation DPC++/C++ Compiler documentation.

SYCL Specification Version 1.2.1 The SYCL specification, explains how SYCL integrates OpenCL devices
PDF with modern C++.

https://www.khronos.org/sycl/ An overview of SYCL.

The GNU* C++ Library - Using The GNU* C++ Library documentation on using dual ABI.
Dual ABI

Layers for Yocto* Project Add oneAPI components to a Yocto project build using the meta-intel
layers.

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 1 Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler

Notices and Disclaimers

Intel technologies may require enabled hardware, software or service activation.
No product or component can be absolutely secure.
Your costs and results may vary.
© Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its
subsidiaries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
No license (express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise) to any intellectual property rights is granted by this
document.

The products described may contain design defects or errors known as errata which may cause the product
to deviate from published specifications. Current characterized errata are available on request.

Intel disclaims all express and implied warranties, including without limitation, the implied warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, as well as any warranty arising from
course of performance, course of dealing, or usage in trade.
Intel optimizations, for Intel compilers or other products, may not optimize to the same degree for non-Intel
products.

Get Started on Linux*

Before You Begin
Set Environment Variables for CLI Development

NOTE
The Unified Directory Layout was implemented in 2024.0. If you have multiple toolkit versions
installed, the Unified layout ensures that your development environment contains the correct
component versions for each installed version of the toolkit.
The directory layout used before 2024.0, the Component Directory Layout, is still supported on new
and existing installations.
For detailed information about the Unified layout, including how to initialize the environment and
advantages with the Unified layout, refer to Use the setvars and oneapi-vars Scripts with Linux.

Compiler environment variables must first be configured if using the compiler from a Command Line
Interface (CLI). Environment variables are set up with a script called setvars in the Component Directory
Layout or oneapi-vars in the Unified Directory Layout. By default, changes to your environment made by
sourcing the setvars.sh or oneapi-vars.sh script apply only to the terminal session in which the
environment script was sourced. You must source the script for each new terminal session.
Detailed instructions on using the setvars.sh or oneapi-vars.sh script are found in Use the setvars and
oneapi-vars Scripts with Linux.
Optionally use one-time setup for setvars.sh as described in Use Modulefiles with Linux*.

GPU Drivers or Plug-ins (Optional)

You can develop oneAPI applications using C++ and SYCL* that run on Intel, AMD*, or NVIDIA* GPUs.
To develop and run applications for specific GPUs, you must first install the corresponding drivers or plug-ins:
• To use an Intel GPU, install the latest Intel GPU drivers.
• To use an AMD GPU, install the oneAPI for AMD GPUs plugin from Codeplay.

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 Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler 1
• To use an NVIDIA GPU, install the oneAPI for NVIDIA GPUs plugin from Codeplay.

Invoke the Compiler from the Command Line

The Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler provides multiple drivers that can be used to invoke the compiler
from the command line. Use the driver appropriate for your specific project.
Language Compiler Driver for Compiler Driver for Option Style Notes
Linux Windows

icx icx is the

C icx-cc Clang-style
recommended
icx-cc
default C driver for
Linux.

If you use icx with

a C++ source file,
it is compiled as a
C++ file. Use icx
to link C object
files.
icx-cc is the
Microsoft-
compatible variant
of icx.
icpx icpx is the
C++ icpx Clang-style
recommended
default C++ driver
for Linux.

If you use icpx

with a C source
file, it is compiled
as a C++ file. Use
icpx to link C++
object files.
icx icx is the
C/C++ icx-cl (see notes) MSVC-style
recommended
icx-cl
default driver for
Windows.

icx-cl is the
Microsoft-
compatible variant
of icx.

NOTE On Linux,
icx-cl is
experimental and
requires the
Microsoft Visual
Studio Package.

Invoke the compiler on the command line using the following syntax:

{compiler driver} [option] file1 [file2...]

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 1 Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler

For example:

icpx hello-world.cpp
For SYCL compilation, use the -fsycl option with the C++ driver:

icpx -fsycl hello-world.cpp

NOTE When using -fsycl, -fsycl-targets=spir64 is assumed unless the -fsycl-targets is

explicitly set in the command.

If you are targeting an AMD or NVIDIA GPU, refer to the corresponding Codeplay plugin get started guide for
detailed compilation instructions:
• oneAPI for AMD GPUs Get Started Guide
• oneAPI for NVIDIA GPUs Get Started Guide

Invoke the Compiler From the Eclipse* CDT

Follow these steps to invoke the compiler from within the Eclipse* CDT.
Install the Intel® Compiler Eclipse CDT plugin.
1. Start Eclipse
2. Select Help > Install New Software
3. Select Add to open the Add Site dialog
4. Select Archive, browse to the directory <install_dir>/compiler/<version>/linux/ide_support,
select the .zip file that starts with com.intel.dpcpp.compiler, then select OK
5. Select the options beginning with Intel, select Next, then follow the installation instructions
6. When asked if you want to restart Eclipse*, select Yes
Build a new project or open an existing project.
1. Open Existing Project or Create New Project on Eclipse
2. Right click on Project > Properties > C/C++ Build > Tool chain Editor
3. Select Intel DPC++/C++ Compiler from the right panel
Set build configurations.
1. Open Existing Project on Eclipse
2. Right click on Project > Properties > C/C++ Build > Settings
3. Create or manage build configurations in the right panel

Example: Build a Program From the Command Line

Use the following steps to test your compiler installation and build a program.
1. Use a text editor to create a file called hello-world.cpp with the following contents:

#include <iostream>

int main()
{
std::cout << "Hello, world!\n";

return 0;
}

2. Open a terminal window.

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 Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler 1
3. If you are not using one-time setup for setvars.sh, set environment variables by sourcing setvars:

Component Directory Layout

source <install-dir>/setvars.sh
Unified Directory Layout

source <install-dir>/<toolkit-version>/oneapi-vars.sh
For information about the <install-dir> location for Component or Unified layout on system-wide or
private installations, refer to Using the setvars and oneapi-vars Scripts with Linux*.
4. From the terminal window, issue the following command to compile hello-world.cpp:

icpx hello-world.cpp -o hello-world

The -o option specifies the file name for the generated output.
5. Now you have an executable called hello-world, which can be run and will give immediate feedback:

hello-world
Which outputs:

Hello, world!
You can direct and control compilation with compiler options. For example, you can create the object file and
output the final binary in two steps:
1. Compile hello-world.cpp:

icpx hello-world.cpp -c
The -c option prevents linking at this step.
2. Use the icpx compiler to link the resulting application object code and output an executable:

icpx hello-world.o -o hello-world

The -o option specifies the generated executable file name.

Refer to Compiler Options for details about available options.

© Codeplay Software Limited. Intel, the Intel logo, Codeplay, Codeplay logo and other Intel marks are
trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property
of others.

Get Started on Windows*

Before You Begin
Set Environment Variables
The compiler integrates into the following versions of Microsoft Visual Studio*:
• Visual Studio 2022
• Visual Studio 2019
Visual Studio Community Edition or higher is required for full functionality within Visual Studio, including
debugging and development. Visual Studio Express Edition allows only command-line builds. For all versions
of Visual Studio, Microsoft C++ support must be selected as part of the Visual Studio install. For Visual
Studio 2017 and later, you must use a custom install to select this option.
You typically do not need to set the environment variables on Windows, as the compiler command-line
window sets these variables for you automatically. If you need to set the environment variables, run the
environment script as described in Use the setvars and oneapi-vars Scripts with Windows*.
Install GPU Drivers (Optional)

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 1 Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler

To develop and run applications for Intel GPUs you must first install the latest Intel GPU drivers.

Option 1: Use the Command Line in Microsoft Visual Studio

The Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler provides multiple drivers that can be used to invoke the compiler
from the command line. Use the driver appropriate for your specific project.
Language Compiler Driver for Compiler Driver for Option Style Notes
Linux Windows

icx icx is the

C icx-cc Clang-style
recommended
icx-cc
default C driver for
Linux.

If you use icx with

a C++ source file,
it is compiled as a
C++ file. Use icx
to link C object
files.
icx-cc is the
Microsoft-
compatible variant
of icx.
icpx icpx is the
C++ icpx Clang-style
recommended
default C++ driver
for Linux.

If you use icpx

with a C source
file, it is compiled
as a C++ file. Use
icpx to link C++
object files.
icx icx is the
C/C++ icx-cl (see notes) MSVC-style
recommended
icx-cl
default driver for
Windows.

icx-cl is the
Microsoft-
compatible variant
of icx.

NOTE On Linux,
icx-cl is
experimental and
requires the
Microsoft Visual
Studio Package.

Invoke the compiler on the command line using the following syntax:

{compiler driver} [option] file1 [file2...]

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 Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler 1
To invoke the compiler using the command line from within Microsoft Visual Studio, open a command prompt
and enter your compilation command. For example:

icx hello-world.cpp
For SYCL compilation, use the -fsycl option with the C++ driver:

icx -fsycl hello-world.cpp

NOTE When using -fsycl, -fsycl-targets=spir64 is assumed unless the -fsycl-targets is

explicitly set in the command.

Option 2: Use Microsoft Visual Studio

Project Support for the Intel® DPC++/C++ Compiler in Microsoft Visual Studio
New Microsoft Visual Studio projects for DPC++ are automatically configured to use the Intel® oneAPI DPC+
+/C++ Compiler.
New Microsoft Visual C++* (MSVC) projects must be manually configured to use the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C
++ Compiler.

NOTE .NET-based CLR C++ project types are not supported by the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++
Compiler. The specific project types will vary depending on your version of Visual Studio, for example:
CLR Class Library, CLR Console App, or CLR Empty Project.

Use the Intel® DPC++/C++ Compiler in Microsoft Visual Studio

Exact steps may vary depending on the version of Microsoft Visual Studio in use.
1. Create a Microsoft Visual C++ (MSVC) project or open an existing project.
2. In Solution Explorer, select the project(s) to build with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler.
3. Open Project > Properties .
4. In the left pane, expand the Configuration Properties category and select the General property
page.
5. In the right pane change the Platform Toolset to the compiler you want to use:
• For C++ with SYCL, select Intel® oneAPI DPC++ Compiler.
• For C/C++, there are two toolsets.
Select Intel C++ Compiler <major version> (example 2021) to invoke icx.

Select Intel C++ Compiler <major.minor> (example 19.2) to invoke icl.

Alternatively, you can specify a compiler version as the toolset for all supported platforms and
configurations of the selected project(s) by selecting Project > Intel Compiler > Use Intel
oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler.
6. Rebuild, using either Build > Project only > Rebuild for a single project or Build > Rebuild
Solution for a solution.
Select Compiler Version
If you have multiple versions of the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler installed, you can select which
version you want from the Compiler Selection dialog box:
1. Select a project, then go to Tools > Options > Intel Compilers and Libraries > <compiler> >
Compilers, where <compiler> values are C++ or DPC++.
2. Use the Selected Compiler drop-down menu to select the appropriate version of the compiler.

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 1 Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler

3. Select OK.
Switch Back to the Microsoft Visual Studio C++ Compiler
If your project is using the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler, you can choose to switch back to the
Microsoft Visual C++ compiler:
1. Select your project in Microsoft Visual Studio.
2. Right-click and select Intel Compiler > Use Visual C++ from the context menu.
This action updates the solution file to use the Microsoft Visual Studio C++ compiler. All configurations of
affected projects are automatically cleaned unless you select Do not clean project(s). If you choose not to
clean projects, you will need to rebuild updated projects to ensure all source files are compiled with the new
compiler.

Build a Program From the Command Line

Use the following steps to test your compiler installation and build a program.
1. Use a text editor to create a file called hello-world.cpp with the following contents:

#include <iostream>

int main()
{
std::cout << "Hello, world!\n";

return 0;
}

2. Compile hello-world.cpp:

icx hello-world.cpp
3. Now you have an executable called hello-world.exe which can be run and will give immediate
feedback:

hello-world.exe
Which outputs:

Hello, world!
You can direct and control compilation with compiler options. For example, you can create the object file and
output the final binary in two steps:
1. Compile hello-world.cpp:

icx hello-world.cpp /c /Fohello-world.obj

The /c option prevents linking at this step and /Fo specifies the name for the object file.
2. Use the icx compiler to link the resulting application object code and output an executable:

icx hello-world.obj /Fehello-world.exe

The /Fe option specifies the generated executable file name.

Refer to Compiler Options for details about available options.

Compile and Execute Sample Code

Multiple code samples are provided for the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler so that you can explore
compiler features and familiarize yourself with how it works. For example:

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 Get Started with the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler 1
Sample Project Description
OpenMP Offload Sample
The OpenMP* Offload sample demonstrates some
of the new OpenMP Offload features supported by
the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler.
Base: Vector Add Sample
The Vector Add sample is the equivalent of a 'Hello,
World!' sample for data parallel programs. Building
and running the code sample verifies that your
development environment is set up correctly and
demonstrates the use of the core features of DPC+
+.
Matrix Multiply Sample
The Matrix Multiply sample is a simple program that
multiplies together two large matrices and verifies
the results. This program is implemented in two
ways: Using Data Parallel C++ (DPC++) and using
OpenMP (OMP).
Adaptive Noise Reduction Sample
The Adaptive Noise Reduction sample is a DPC++
reference design that demonstrates a highly
optimized image sensor adaptive noise reduction
(ANR) algorithm on an FPGA.

NOTE Explore the complete list of oneAPI code samples in the oneAPI Samples Catalog (GitHub*).
These samples were designed to help you develop, offload, and optimize multiarchitecture applications
targeting CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs.

Next Steps
• Use the latest oneAPI Code Samples and follow along with the Intel® oneAPI Training Resources.
• Explore the Intel® oneAPI DPC++/C++ Compiler Developer Guide and Reference on the Intel® Developer
Zone.

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