Is Xcode necessary for compiling C language files. It always throws me a -g clang error but once I installed and tried compiling it compiled. Then again after uninstalling it throws the same error. So is Xcode must and is there any other alternative.
To compile C code you must either install Xcode or install the Command Line Tools package from Apple's developer downloads site.
https://developer.apple.com/download/
There is a Command Line Tools package for each version of macOS. Install the one for your version.
To compile C code you must either install Xcode or install the Command Line Tools package from Apple's developer downloads site.
https://developer.apple.com/download/
There is a Command Line Tools package for each version of macOS. Install the one for your version.
Properly compiled and built C programs run just fine, for the usual C definition of "just fine".
C compilation requires the presence of a C compiler or ilk, same as everywhere else.
You can use Xcode (which includes the IDE and the command-line tools including the Clang C compiler), or (just) the Xcode command-line tools (without the IDE), or can load a compiler of your choice using Homebrew or otherwise. Clang, gcc, pcc, and various other C compilers are around.
Homebrew has gcc and LLVM available, and both of which are... large. I haven't confirmed the LLVM build includes Clang, but I'd expect it does.
You could also use the Emscripten C compiler too, and compile your C code into WebAssembly and run the code directly in a web browser with WebAssembly support.
And Microsoft Visual Studio Code IDE is around, but I'd expect that needs the command line tools.
I find using the Xcode IDE makes C work faster and easier.
Yeah, there are inherently trade-offs with an IDE or any other tooling.
The operating system does not install a compilation suite. You must do that and Mark Szymczyk has shown you where to get it.
Since Apple does not correlate the operating system that a particular CommandLine Tools package should be installed, one can issue the following in the Terminal to get the last available CLT package for the current operating system:
xcode-select --install
and that will pop the following dialog that will only install the CommandLine Tools package and provide access to the clang and clang++ compilers. This will require an administrator password to begin the installation.
Strictly speaking there are other development platforms, but if you want to develop for Apple products then you need Xcode.
Strictly personal: if you use some non-Apple cross-platform development platform your software will stink.
Why c programs not running on my Mac.
