Apple’s Xcode development system is superb for developing applications, but sometimes you just want to write C or C++ code for research or school. Composing a serious chunk of code with vi is no longer acceptable,* so users in this frame of mind are now using Eclipse, a modern IDE, that’s also free. Here’s how to get gcc without installing Apple’s Xcode and then install Eclipse for C/C++ programming.
What’s the Motivation?
At work recently, my wife was chatting with a colleague who was taking his first C++ class. She taught him how to use Eclipse on a Mac, even though he resisted at first. However, later, he came back and commented that the other students were trying to manage ever increasingly complex projects with the vi editor. It was taking them four, six, or even 20 hours in some cases to complete their homework each week. He finished his, typically, in 30 minutes. That’s the power of an IDE with a modern debugger. That last item, the debugger, can’t be emphasized enough. Print statements in your code are oh, so yesteryear with a tool like this. Time is money, and efficiency reflects on you as a programmer.
Eclipse is one of the most popular and powerful IDE’s For C/C which offers open-source utility and functionality for C and C programmers. New users can find this IDE as simple to use and work upon. Features: Open-source software i.e available for free. Supports all platforms Windows, Linux, Mac OS X.
So if you’re a scientist, researcher or engineer who wants to write some research code, not intended as a GUI app, in Java, C, C++ or Fortran, you need to dump vi as an editor* (or Emacs or Nedit or whatever) immediately and get with this kind of IDE. Things are moving far too fast nowadays not to make this important move. (Clearly, I’m speaking to an older crowd here.**)
To be perfectly clear, Apple’s Xcode is a fabulous development system for C, C++, Objective-C and even Fortran 77***. You can build native OS X and iOS apps. But many researchers and scientists aren’t interested in Xcode. They’ve come from a Linux or other UNIX platform, like IBM’s AIX, and they just want to carry on their research in Eclipse on a Mac. This how-to is primarily for them. But, as I mentioned above, students who are taking their first programming class and own a Mac will also find this discussion useful — indeed mandatory. Remember, this is an introduction to whet your appetite and get you launched, not a complete Eclipse tutorial.
Also, this how-to for the sake of simplicity focuses on C/C++, but Eclipse can handle a myriad of languages, including, but not limited to, Java and Fortran. Let’s start with C/C++.
Getting the gcc Compiler
As an aside, when you install Apple’s Xcode (free from the Mac App Store only in Lion), gcc is automatically installed in /usr/bin. But if you have a mind to work with just Eclipse and gcc, you’ll need a way to install gcc without, if it pleases you, installing Apple’s Xcode first. (For reference, here’s a how-to on installing Xcode and gcc.)
There are at least two places I know of where you can get a gcc installer package for OS X:
- The OS X High Performance Computing page at Sourceforge managed by Dr. Gaurav Khanna at the University of Mass.
If you find other sources, let us know.
Installing Eclipse
Here’s a handy reference on where to get Eclipse for the Mac. Version 3.7 (“Indigo”) installs nicely in Lion and seems to work okay, but our household hasn’t put it to a grueling acid test with OS X 10.7.1.
Eclipse Download for CC++, 64-bit
The download is a …tar.gz file, so move it where you want the Eclipse directory to be because when you double click it, the package will be unzipped and untared right there. After Eclipse is installed, you’ll see it as an app, just like any other, with this icon.
It’s easy to create an alias to eclipse.app, if you wish, and place it in your /Application directory. Because the Eclipse IDE itself is written in Java, if you’re running a clean copy of Lion, you’ll need to download the Java runtime before the Eclipse app will launch. Just double-click on Eclipse, and it’ll trigger the required Java runtime download. Nothing else to do. If you’re in Snow Leopard, the Java runtime is already there.
Java runtime download
This first thing you’ll see when you run Eclipse is that it asks for the location of your workspace. I typically create a directory in /Users/john called Programming where I do any code development. (Which is not much these days.)
Workspace Selection
After you select your workspace, you’ll be confronted with an Eclipse peculiarity. A welcome page will be launched that brings a real feeling of WTF to many users. Here it is.
Welcome screen
The trick is to realize that the icon on the far right, circled in red above, takes you into the workbench. For that named workspace, this one time is the only time you’ll see that screen.
Once the IDE is launched, there are just a few details before you can build a project. Again, for simplicity, lets stay with C/C++. From the Eclipse File menu, select “New” and then C++ Project.
Eclipse - New Project
Experienced Eclipse users know the drill. Name the project, make sure you’ve identified the location of your compiler in the Toolchain, and so on. (It may be different than the default install by Apple’s Xcode. The screen shot below shows Apple’s install of gcc, marked as MacOSX GCC, because I’d previously installed Xcode on that Mac.)
Configuration
Newbies may want to select the Hello World project just to see how things get set up. Make sure you work your way through the setup with Next > at the bottom and don’t click the Finish button too soon. A more detailed examination of this set up and the ins-and-outs of Eclipse are beyond the scope of this getting started article. The goal here is simply an introduction for Mac users. And you’re not alone. There’s a huge body of knowledge on the Internet about Eclipse. Here’s a start.
If all went well, you’ll be in the Eclipse IDE with the Hello World program in the editor and a Make file already created. This environment is called the Eclipse workbench.
Eclipse Workbench w/ default “Hello World” code
It may take you some start-up time to learn Eclipse, but trust me, coding the old way will soon bog you down. The Xcode and Eclipse developers learn from each other, so if you ever decide to get into OS X or iOS development, having earned your wings in Eclipse will pay huge dividends later.
__________________
* I’m qualified to say this because I’ve lived and breathed vi for a living in the past.
** Remember, a lot of people are going back to school, learning or refreshing their programming skills.
*** You can write and compile Fortran 77 in Xcode with standard output, but you can’t access the Cocoa APIs and build native apps in F77.
C++ is one such high level of programming that’s still popular since it’s inception. It’s still actively applied in the development of many applications and systems across the world. C++ is a unique language that forms the base of the main programming languages such as, Java, C#, Python, etc. Moreover, these programming languages are widely used by professional programmers for hardware development.
So, those who wish to gain knowledge of C++, must know that an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is the best place to make programming work smoothly. This is because IDEs come integrated with functions like debugging, code completion, compiling, and more.
IDEs are primarily used to offer different elements of software programs while the application is under development. The best part about the software is its attractive interface. Let’s explore some of the best IDE for C++ on Windows shortlisted by us.
Visual Studio
It’s a fully featured IDE that works with all major platforms like Windows, web, cloud, and Android. Visual Studio IDE allows you to write codes correctly and effectively without losing the existing file conditions. One can easily zoom into the specifics like the call structure, associated functions, sign-ins, and test status. You can also take advantage of the services that help to refactor, analyze, and repair code problems.
May 26, 2020 If your Mac is using an earlier version of any Mac operating system, you should install the latest Apple software updates, which can include important security updates and updates for the apps installed by macOS, such as Safari, Books, Messages, Mail, Music, Calendar, and Photos. First of all, are you sure you have OS 10.4.11 and not 10.4.1? Double check by pulling down the Apple Menu to About this Mac. WPA support was introduced by a software update part way through OS 10.4. Apple mac os x snow leopard. Feb 09, 2013 Correction: I have firmware version 9.52 on the modem card, which claims to be an apple AirPort card. The machine is an iBook PowerBook 4,1, cpu type PowerPC 750 (22.15), with boot ROM version 4.2.04f, Sales Order Number M8520 X/A and serial number UV1340KFLBT. I am running OS X 10.4.11 with all upgrades that Apple provides.
Visual Studio walks you through with live support as you code, despite the language used (C#/VB, C++, JavaScript, Python, and more). What’s interesting is, IntelliSense predicts the APIs as you write and auto-completes to enhance speed and efficiency. Moreover, it helps you make your way through a large code base easily without losing the context of the code.
Price: free version available; upgrade starts from $45/month
CodeBlocks
Code::Blocks is a C, C++, and Fortran IDE that’s available for free. This is designed to suffice the most demanding requirements of the users. This IDE is developed to be extremely flexible and entirely configurable. It features all that you need, offers a steady look, feels, and control across different platforms.
This IDE is designed around plugin support that can be enhanced with plugins. You can add any type of functionality by coding or installing a plugin. For example, assembling and debugging functionalities is already offered by the plugins.
Price: free and open source
Eclipse
Eclipse is one of the leading IDE’s for C and C++ that’s based on Eclipse platform. It offers support for project development and administered framework for different toolchains, classic make framework, source navigation, etc. It also supports different source knowledge tools, for instance, grading, macro definition browser, folding and hyperlink navigation, visual debugging tools, code editor with syntax highlighting, and more.
It’s a free and open source software that works with all major platforms that include, Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It boasts a wonderful user interface that helps arrange the elements with drag and drop facility.
Price: free
Clion
Clion is a powerful and a cross-platform IDE for C and C++ that includes contemporary C++ standards, libc++, and Boost. This IDE knows the codes very well and manages the routine while you focus on the core things. One of its major features is, refactoring that allows you to rename symbols, shift members up or down the rankings, modify function signature, and also ensure that its automated refactoring will correctly generate the required changes across the code.
Integrated debugger analyses and solves issues effortlessly using the IDE’s amiable debugger UI featuring GDB/LLDB as a backend. Moreover, it also links to native processes or debugs remotely. It also analyses the disassembly view in the absence of sources.
Best Ide On Mac
Clion also offers a complete inline view of your project using the variable values that are displayed right in the editor as you debug. In addition, it checks the state of all the variables for a selected function in the same stack frame. It also analyses the results of a function call or some intricate expression.
Price: 30-Day free trial available; upgrade starts from $199/user for 1st year
Vim
This lightweight IDE is an extremely configurable text editor for creating and modifying any text type, efficiently. In the majority of the Unix systems and Apple OS X, it’s added as “vi”. Vim is super stable and is constantly being designed for an enhanced experience. It’s a consistent IDE with multi-level undo tree.
Anaconda default folder for mac os x. Access the Library Folder the Easy WayIf you just need to access it occasionally, this is the fastest way. Open Finder, or just click on the desktop.
Vim offers comprehensive plugin system and offers support for several more programming languages and file formats. It also offers powerful search and swapping functionality. Moreover, it integrates with many tools and also offers support for all languages that promotes quick coding.
Price:
CodeLite
CodeLite is a free and open source IDE that specializes in C, C++, PHP, and JavaScript programming languages. It’s a cross-platform IDE that’s chiefly used for backend developers who use Node.js and works with all major platforms that include Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
It also allows you to undo or redo the operations, carry out basic editing actions, shift, remove, or convert lines, change to a full-screen mode, hide, or uncover the whitespace, along with functions that support searching and replacing words.
You can also create bookmarks, execute fast debugging actions, and also configure the source code editor settings by allowing the tool to display line numbers. In addition, you can also leverage its integrated auto-complete function. Moreover, the software can also streamline the vacant lines when saving the files. You can also customize the bookmarks, allocate hotkeys, select background fonts and colors, and much more.
Price: free and open source
NetBeans IDE
NetBeans IDE is a free and open source program that helps users to develop mobile, web, and desktop applications using Java, JavaScript, HTML5, PHP, C/C++ and more. It works with all major platforms that include Windows, Linux, Solaris, and the MacOS.
The best part is, it can be installed easily and can be used right out of the box. It comes equipped with all the tools developers require to build professional and cross-platform applications for mobile, web, desktop, and enterprise.
Price: free
Qt Creator
QT Creator is another great IDE that’s fast, easy, and offers the most fun experience for a C++ developer. This cross-platform IDE comes with a state-of-the-art C++ code editor, inbuilt GUI design and forms designer, rapid code, navigation tools, and more. It’s especially loved by developers for its APIs and libraries since these are consistent, detailed, user-friendly, and well documented.
In addition, it comes with a complete set of tools that are designed for creating applications and user interfaces once, and then further deploy them in different mobile OS and desktops. Best of all, it comes with a straightforward and responsive interface. It features code editor with syntax highlighting and auto-completion, drag-and-design UI creation, visual debugging & profiling tool, and much more.
If you want to get deep into the basic details of the Qt APIs and the libraries, you can seek guidance from their documentation pages.
Price: free
Dev C++
It’s a fully featured IDE designed for C and C++ programming language. It makes use of the Mingw port of GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) as the compiler. It builds local Win32 executables, such as a console or a GUI. Orwell Dev-C++ can also be blended with Cygwin and used.
This comes with a lot of features that are more targeted towards basic programming and not advanced programming. It can be installed easily helping you start working with the application instantly. The best part is, the interface is pretty easy to use, with all the options neatly arranged for easy access and is considerately spacious.
The tool helps you to create and edit several different common source file formats such as .C, .CPP, .CC, .C++ or .CP. It can also manage header files using the following extensions: .H,HPP, .RH and .HH. Also, it supports resource scripts like .RC and allows you to save your projects in the usual .DEV format. Compiling and debugging, individual configurations for compiler, environment, and editor are some of its other features.
VLC Media Player is free multimedia solutions for all OS. VLC Official support Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, and much more. Whatever your OS, VLC is the best media player for your device. To try to understand what VLC Download can be, just think of Windows Media Player, a very similar software for functionality. Select a language. When prompted, click the language drop-down box and select the language you want to use for VLC Media Player, then click OK to continue. Click Next three times. This will take you to the installation page. Click Install. It’s at the bottom of the page. Do it install VLC Media Player on your computer. Run VLC Media Player. VideoLAN, VLC, VLC media player and x264 are trademarks internationally registered by the VideoLAN non-profit organization. VideoLAN software is licensed under various open-source licenses: use and distribution are defined by each software license. Design by Made By Argon. Some icons are licensed under the CC BY-SA 3.0+. Install the freeware vlc media player for os xp. Sep 02, 2015 This media software only supports the Mac OS X 10.6 and the later version mac os x released in the market. It will not work in the previous operating system. The previous operating systems only can install the previous versions of VLC media player that will properly work. The latest version released of VLC for Mac requires the OS X 10.6.
Ide For Mac
Price: free
C++ Builder
It’s a fast IDE, that features integrated design and development for the latest apps. For those looking to build a powerful cross-platform app covering the “full-stack” from the database to attractive UIs to Rest, and so on, C++ Builder is all that they need. Using this app, your C++ applications assemble locally for mobile and desktop platforms.
This helps save your time and effort that you would otherwise put on learning different programming languages for every extra platform. C++Builder Rio (10.3) helps developers to build beautiful, and high performing apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with the same fundamental code base. It brings marked improvements for C++ developers that includes C++17 win32 support, enhanced code completion, debugging for optimized builds and new libraries.
It also makes improvements to VCL for High DPI displays, Per Monitor V2 support, updated mobile platform support for Android API26 and iOS12, and more.
Price: starts from $1495
MonoDevelop
If you are looking for an IDE that empowers developers to write desktop and web applications on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, quickly, then MonoDevelop can be your best bet. Best of all, it also makes it super easy for the developers to port .NET apps built with the Visual Studio to MacOS and Linux while maintaining a single code foundation for all platforms.
It comes with advanced text editing option such as support for C#, code templates, and code folding. In addition, it also offers windows layouts that are completely customizable, key bindings that are user-specified, and a set of external tools. From multiple language support (C#, F#, Visual Basic .NET, Vala), or an integrated debugger that debugs Mono and local applications, to option to create GTK# applications easily, there are many such features that make this tool popular.
Price: free
Anjuta
Anjuta is an all-around IDE that comes with several programming options inclusive of project management, source editor, GUI designer, application wizard, and more. The tool focuses majorly on offering simple user interface, and that’s also usable. Moreover, it’s powerful and helps in effective development.
It comes with a straightforward interface that’s easy to operate, and comes with powerful tools. It features some of the easy wizards and project templates for starting with new projects. The best part is, the program supports most of the popular programming languages C, C++, Java, Javascript, Python, and Vala.
Moreover, it supports full glade integration for WYSIWYG UI development for GTK+/GNOME applications, completely integrated GDB for onboard debugging, and more.
Price: free
IDE programmes are the best way to build applications minus the error and that can be maintained efficiently. While there are many IDEs available online for C++, there are few that exceed your expectations. So, make a choice from the above list and build C++ application on Windows, effortlessly.
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares
Eclipse Ide
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