Xcode for OSX 10.6.8

Thanks Michael,

I know about the need to pay before using the programme on a real iPad and I'm happy with that. As to upgrading to Mountain Lion, would that also cost money? If so, couldn't I just use an earlier version of Xcode with Snow Leopard and avoid the extra expense?

Brian

Thanks Michael for all your help. I think at this stage I should point out that I'm not a software developer. It's a bit of a nuisance having to re-write my programme in Objective-C. The programme has been around for a few years now and has worked extremely well. It helps diabetics stay healthy, it's their only choice in fact because there's nothing else around that does the same thing. It took me 2 years to produce and I would like to make it Mac-ready as quickly as possible. So, I don't think I'm interested in taking advantage of iOS 6 features. I just want to be able to convert my programme to Objective-C as it is. I don't want to have to enter the business of continually upgrading software to take benefit from advancing features. Sorry to go on like this but my rquirement is really quite simple, I hope the solution is. All I would like to do is:

1. Use my Mac Mini to re-write in Objective-C a programme that was developed 4 years ago and doesn't need to be changed in the slightest, except to make it work on iPads and iPhones

2. Be able to offer the application for sale at the App Store

3. Expect the app to continue working, without the need for further change.

I don't want the best of everything, just enough to enable me to convert. Can I do all this using Snow Leopard and, if so how do I persuade the App Store to let me download Xcode and SDK etc to get the job done.

All the best,

Brian

Thanks for this VikingOSX. I take your points completely. Your business case is correct without question. I certainly don't want or need months of development frustration and professional help in realising the iOS programme would be lovely. Two things though, one is that I don't see any great (if any) profit coming from the venture and so can't finance that approach. Second, I spent "blood sweat and tears" getting the original VBasic programme launched and have a great deal of pride in it; I am by nature a do-it-yourself man and enjoy the odd challenge; and I've spent money on the Mac Mini plus book on Objective-C and have already committed a lot of time trying to sort things out myself, with valued help from people like yourself. So, I'd like to continue. I'm not a real programmer/developer, just a person who had a personal need for this software for medical purposes. It's a control system that keeps diabetics' blood sugar under control. It works a treat on PCs and I want to migrate it to iOS and sell it through the App Store. I already know the difficulties involved once it's written but I'm looking forward to tackling these. And I know that I'll enjoy the dvelopment itself, so I'm all set to go. I'm also ready to fail if I can't get over all the hurdles, including all the Apple stuff, but still happy that I'm going in the right direction. But it seems important that I get my hands on an Xcode that will give me ARC and very desirable to be able to use the OSX that I've got - Snow Leopard. Somthere's my position. I'm grateful for your advice and understand what you've said. I hope I don't end up having to abandon the job because I can't get round all the problems myself.

All the best,

Brian

Thanks everyone for putting things into perspective. The last comment from etresoft echoes earlie ones by suggesting that I should upgrade the OSX on my Mac Mini. And VikingOSX has said that an upgrade to Lion would be adequate as this will support Xcode 4.5.2. So if Xcode 4.5.2 will allow me to produce the required app in Objective-C all I need to do is upgrade the Mac Mini to Lion then get on with the job. Before I get started, please can I have a sanity check? If I do this, should things work out? Might sound like a daft question but please remember I'm a complete newcomer to the Mac arena only having had my first Mac for one week. Thanks again for all your help so far.

Brian

Thanks etresoft. I think I now see things clearly. I am a Yorkdhireman and we are supposed to have deep pockets and short arms. We also have determination and good common sense. I wrote the original programme as a novice about 7 years ago. It involves the control system that a diabetic on insulin needs to follow in order to stand any chance of enjoying life and living long. It works a treat on PCs and without it I doubt I'd still be alive. Anyway, enough of that. My son Jont said "why don't you turn it into an app?" i said do you think I'm mad? It took me 2 years writing it in a new language - Visual Basic - and i'll be buggered if I'm going to go through all that again using Objective - C when I don't know the first thing about OOP. And he said I should look for a cheap Mac on eBay. So I did. I was told on a forum that all I needed was an Intel one so I got one and it came about a week ago. What a fool I seem to have been. I'll meet you more than halfway and tell you that it seems to have been created in September 2006 and it's got 2GB of RAM. So that seems to rule out Mountain Lion. As VikingOSX said, it could be upgraded to Lion and (just about) do the job. And as you say, I should just crack on and make some progress. But do I really want to be bothered I wonder. Although the market area for the app is vast, a large percentage of the human race is diabetic and needs this software, most of them don't understand its importance and so don't know that they need it. So I'm inclined to ignore the Apple slippery and constantly steep slope and back out right now. I know how hard it will be to come to terms with Objective-C instead of VBasic and .NET. And although I'm a determined Yorkshireman who relishes a challenge I don't like banging my head against a wall. So, thanks again etresoft, VikingOSX and everyone else who has tried to help, but I feel it's time for me to back out.

All the best and Happy New Year,

Brian

Thanks again chaps. I was feeling a bit narked before as you probably guessed. I've calmed down now. Maybe I will carry this forward now I've started!

All the best,

Brian