Actually, a compiler is one of the less problematic things to keep up-to-date, since compilers (at least C/C++ compilers) typically have few dependencies, and

Actually, a compiler is one of the less problematic things to keep up-to-date, since compilers (at least C/C++ compilers) typically have few dependencies, and can live just fine "on the side" of the system's main compiler. But some libraries or apps need half the world and its mother to run, including packages with subtle clashes, and then you're in trouble.