Command line tools for xcode??

I am used to compiling code much like the java sdk works from terminal where I say javac the filename and then i get a .class file that i can run by doing the command java and then the .class file after. I am now wanting to learn c++ and I dont feel like installing xcode all i want is a compiler that can run from terminal. i found command line tools for xcode on the apple developers site and i was wondering do i need xcode for this to run and after that what the commands are and how i compile/run the code. But my biggest question is still wether or not i need xcode to let command line tools work. ive read in a couple places i dont need it but in other ive read you do can i get help?!