Apple's IDE: Xcode

     I have recently started my C++ programming class and I am very excited about building some cool applications.  In class we are exposed to an windows-only atmosphere.  After working on the schools’ Vista machines I was curious to see if I could wrie my programs on my MacBook Pro.  I did some research and found Apple’s Xcode application.  Xcode is Apple’s programming IDE.  An IDE (Integrated Developing Environment) is an application that makes the developing cycle easier for programmers.  The IDE can compile and organize your developing projects.  Xcode also supports many languages, for example: Java, C, C++ and many more.  I am new to the programming scene and it only took me a couple of hours to figure out how to use the basic features of Xcode.  It didn’t take long to build my first command-line program.  The best part about Xcode is that it’s free.  Aspiring programmers can download Xcode for free through Apple’s Developer Connection.  http://developer.apple.com  With Xcode users can build full-fledged Iphone and OS X applications.  The Interface Builder supplied with Xcode makes the construction of the interface amazingly simple.  The user simply drags the objects into the applications’ window.  Xcode has a large library of objects too; Xcode supplies windows, buttons, text-boxes, drop-down-menus and many more to boot.

     I found that the easiest way to learn Xcode is to use tutorials.  YouTube has a large library of easy-to-follow tutorials.  Google is always a good resource too!  The learning curve is fairly steep but well worth the effort.  It may seem intimidating but the application is well organized.  Xcode also has a text-prediction feature as seen in the iPhone.  The prediction feature is great because the user doesn’t need to re-type the same variable names repeatedly.  C++ programming on the Macintosh platform has some small differences.  Macintosh operating systems cannot compile when the user enters the ‘system(“pause”)’ command in their program.  The only reason for this is because this command is a Dos based and only works in the Windows environment.  In my opinion not being able to use this makes it easier to code because the programmer doesn’t even need it.  The Macintosh OS already pauses at the end of a program; thus, eliminating the need for the old Dos command.

     If anyone is interested in programing on the mac then give Xcode a try!  I have had absolutely no need to use Microsoft Visual Studio.  Xcode does everything that Visual Studio does, and in some cases, it does things even better.  So you better start downloading it now because it was around 900mb :)

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

-Kyle