c++ compilation assembly or not?

[adam2016]

Hi guys reading from this article

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6264249/how-does-the-compilation-linking-process-work

it says you're c++ source code is turned into assembly,now I have read conflicting articles and answers on this subject,

some say that the assembler process is skipped so cpp source code is turned directly into machine code,and as above it says that the compiler invokes an assembler which turns the source code into assembly first before machine code

can anyone clear up this misunderstanding?

thanks

[helios]

There's no single correct answer. One compiler may always do one while another compiler may always do the other, while yet another may do one or the other depending on configuration. Yet another compiler may pass through an Assembly representation, but only internally in its memory, and then output executable code directly.
To get a concrete answer you need to investigate what your particular compiler is doing.

But this is an implementation detail of the compiler. Why are you so concerned about it?

[gaxio]

The difference between assembly and machine code is pretty thin, especially if it's only ever read by a machine. There's a 1:1 correspondence between assembly and machine opcodes so honestly whether the compiler produces assembly or machine code directly is irrelevant. Though most can produce assembly as output, such as with GCC and the -S switch.

[adam2016]

thanks guys,and very good point never looked at it that why before,

that's probably why answers vary,

also yeah I don't really need to be concerned how it's implemented but just interested in whats happening at a lower level.