"And if so, is a c++ program just config you give to gcc?"

LOL, reminds me of the C++ as shell scripts hack where you stick something to the effect:

#!/usr/bin/tail -n +1 $0 | g++ -O -g -o ${0%.cpp} -x c++ - && ./${0%.cpp} $1 $2 && rm ./${0%.cpp} ; exit

at the top of your cpp file and chmod +x it.