C++ compiler for Mac OS X Leopard

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Level 1

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C++ compiler for Mac OS X Leopard

i have been scouting the internet for the past few days trying to find a good c++ compiler for mac os x leopard. i heard xcode had a good compiler program on it and is on the installation disc the came with my macbook. but in order for me to use it, i need to downgrade my system to tiger. and i can't join the apple development site cause i'm not yet a college student and i dont work for any company.

i'm getting quite desperate now because i really need a compiler in order to learn c++ so i can start programming...

13 inch MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on May 19, 2009 2:23 AM

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Answer 1

May 19, 2009 3:17 AM in response to sedirox

The compiler used by XCode is gcc (which includes g++ for C++ programs).

I am confused as to why you think you need to downgrade to install XCode. It is available on the install discs for 10.4 and 10.5.

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Answer 2

May 19, 2009 3:54 AM in response to sedirox

You could install fink or macports which are package management systems for open source software. Then install the gcc compiler.

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Answer 3

Mudge

Level 2

488 points

May 19, 2009 4:08 AM in response to sedirox

There's also no need to be a student or work for a company to register for an ADC account.

Go for the "free online" account and enter "none" into the company/organization field. That will give you access to the latest XCode developer tools and documentation, among other resources.

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Answer 4

May 19, 2009 4:02 PM in response to sedirox

You can also try downloading and installing Netbeans, the compiler from Sun. I've been using it for awhile and think it's pretty good. However, Xcode is still the best.

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Answer 5

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

May 19, 2009 5:39 PM in response to sedirox

sedirox wrote:
i have been scouting the internet for the past few days trying to find a good c++ compiler for mac os x leopard. i heard xcode had a good compiler program on it and is on the installation disc the came with my macbook. but in order for me to use it, i need to downgrade my system to tiger.

Why? It's on your Leopard DVD.
and i can't join the apple development site cause i'm not yet a college student and i dont work for any company.
Who told you that? It's not true

i'm getting quite desperate now because i really need a compiler in order to learn c++ so i can start programming...

As noted, install it from your Leopard DVD or join ADC and download it.

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Answer 6

sedirox Author

Level 1

0 points

May 20, 2009 2:46 AM in response to sedirox

thanks for the replies. i just joined the adc site and have access to the xcode developer tools. but i think it's still weird that i can't install xcode from my installation disc because when i click on the installation app, it says that it cant find os x 10.4 on my drive "macintosh hd". downloading the xcode files will take forever because they are huge and my internet is quite slow.

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Answer 7

weisbach

Level 1

9 points

May 20, 2009 3:10 AM in response to sedirox

Are you sure you're using the Leopard installation disks?

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Answer 8

Mudge

Level 2

488 points

May 20, 2009 10:09 AM in response to sedirox

I don't know exactly which kind of OS X disks you have - but I've just checked the ones that came with a recent MacBook.

Don't try and run the OS X installer itself. Boot your Mac as normal and open the install disk using Finder. You need to open the folder at the root level called "Optional Installs", then the one called "Xcode Tools". There's an installer package in there called "Xcode Tools" - double-click that!

Hope this helps.

P.S. You may want to read the "About Xcode Tools" PDF document before you go ahead.

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