GDP & GCF: What's the Difference?

[Mk]

How do GDP and GCF differ? What is the difference between the kinds of GDP such as GDP PPP? I looked but didn't understand any explanations on the internet.

 

[Astronuc]

The explanation on Wikipedia seems pretty straightforward
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_Domestic_Product

GDP dollar estimates here are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purchasing_power_parity

GCF = gross capital formation
This might be of use - http://ideas.repec.org/p/kud/kuiedp/0430.html

GFCF = Gross fixed capital formation - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_fixed_capital_formation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_formation

Gross capital formation (formerly gross domestic investment) consists of outlays on additions to the fixed assets of the economy plus net changes in the level of inventories. Fixed assets include land improvements (fences, ditches, drains, and so on); plant, machinery, and equipment purchases; and the construction of roads, railways, and the like, including schools, offices, hospitals, private residential dwellings, and commercial and industrial buildings. Inventories are stocks of goods held by firms to meet temporary or unexpected fluctuations in production or sales, and "work in progress." According to the 1993 SNA, net acquisitions of valuables are also considered capital formation.

http://devdata.worldbank.org/external/CPdefinition.asp?icode=NE.GDI.TOTL.ZS&ccode=CHN

Interesting site - http://www.economywatch.com/index1.jsp

and

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/sna1993/glossform.asp?getitem=222

Don't necessarily trust Wikipeida fully - verify with other sources.