macOS New to Mac Programming-Have a few questions...

chrono1081 · Jan 26, 2008

I apologize if this has already been asked before but I didnt see anything on the threads. Im currently go to school for programming and its all windows based, but I want a mac (within 2 weeks). I was wondering if I would have any trouble programming applications using a mac if the applications are to run on windows? (I just started so we are not that far into programming yet).

Also what compiler does mac offer? I thought I saw one called XCode. Windows has Visual Studio 2008 that *suprise* doesnt run on Vista ($300 down the drain).

Lastly my computer programming degree specializes in game development. We will be programming for the windows platform. Would I have any trouble creating these games on a mac to run on windows?

Thank you for all your time and help

Eraserhead · Jan 26, 2008

chrono1081 said:
I apologize if this has already been asked before but I didnt see anything on the threads. Im currently go to school for programming and its all windows based, but I want a mac (within 2 weeks). I was wondering if I would have any trouble programming applications using a mac if the applications are to run on windows? (I just started so we are not that far into programming yet).

chrono1081 said:
Lastly my computer programming degree specializes in game development. We will be programming for the windows platform. Would I have any trouble creating these games on a mac to run on windows?

Thank you for all your time and help

It depends on the language, Java yes, but still if Windows is the target you'll be better off using that.

chrono1081 said:
Also what compiler does mac offer? I thought I saw one called XCode. Windows has Visual Studio 2008 that *suprise* doesnt run on Vista ($300 down the drain).

Visual Studio has more features than XCode, but I prefer XCode (at least to the free VS) as its less bloated.

Cromulent · Jan 26, 2008

If you are programming games and want to write them for both Windows and Mac OS X (maybe Linux as well) then you will save yourself a lot of time if you use OpenGL instead of DirectX.

Visual Studio 2008 does run on Vista. Not sure what problem you are having but it is Microsofts flagship compiler and most certainly does work on all recent versions of Windows (XP/2003/Vista).

Eraserhead · Jan 26, 2008

Though if the course teaches DirectX though you should be using that

.

eddietr · Jan 26, 2008

Depends on what type of programming they are teaching you.

If they are teaching desktop apps with GUIs in .Net or webapps in ASP.Net, then I think you'll have less confusion if you just use VS in fusion/parallels/basecamp. Yes, mono might work but I wouldn't recommend it for someone just learning in a classroom setting.

But if it's Java you're learning, then the Mac in my opinion is a great platform for that with just the free eclipse.

Or if it's Python or Ruby, you can do those quite nicely within OS X.

And if it's C/C++, then you can do that in eclipse or Xcode. Provided they aren't using .Net libraries in the classroom or homework exercises. Some schools/teachers do that.

chrono1081 · Jan 27, 2008

Thank you

Thank you guys for all the honest feedback. I think I am going to go with a 24inch iMac 4gb of ram, tb harddrive, and ill use bootcamp for windows if I need to

Cromulent · Jan 28, 2008

chrono1081 said:
Thank you guys for all the honest feedback. I think I am going to go with a 24inch iMac 4gb of ram, tb harddrive, and ill use bootcamp for windows if I need to

A good choice of computer

. I'm sure if you have any other questions people will be about to answer them.

megrisoft · Jan 28, 2008

That really good configuration of your PC, still you have not told us the type of the programming, i am also new to Mac and may be more curious to use this that why i joined the forum!

Cromulent · Jan 28, 2008

megrisoft said:
That really good configuration of your PC, still you have not told us the type of the programming, i am also new to Mac and may be more curious to use this that why i joined the forum!

I think we are assuming he is programming in C/C++.

chrono1081 · Jan 28, 2008

My apologies

I am programming in C++ at the moment and I will be doing some Python and C# in the future. I program a bit of assembly too (only when forced!).

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