Apple Releases Xcode 4 to Developers, Coming Soon to Mac App Store for $4.99

[fat phil]

I agree but it is yet another step into the quagmire of microtransactions that I despise.

Death by a thousand papercuts.

Hopefully it will still come with the OS X installation media.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

I know it's only $5, and I'm not affected because I'm ADC, but it's that "little bit more" being creamed off the top of everything.

And my old joyous fun-poking at friends who pay for Visual Studio isn't quite so elegant anymore. Sad days.

On the bright side, I wonder what people not used to downloading XCode will think of 4gig updates...

Well said. I'm not sure when this app entitlement started with people fussing over such small amounts of money or screaming on facebook how apps should be free.

I agree about people screaming that everything should be free, it's bloody irritating, but some things just belong in the free domain, where they can - you know - do some good. XCode has been free forever, bundled on the OS disk no less ... but now Apple's popular, and they've discovered that people will pay for anything, well. It's just not as cool, is it.

 

[CavemanUK]

So the thing in the App folder isn't xcode (like it would be for every other app you get off the app store)?

nope. the first time you run it, it runs an installer and installs to /developer.. the file left in the Apps folder is called "install xcode"

 

[AppleMacFinder]

I don't want to pay for a free program.
Greedy Apple...

 

[Brad Oliver]

It is obvious that he was talking about the interface builder application man! Do you really program using Xcode?

Yeah, I sure do. I even use it in "Condensed" mode which spawns CodeWarrior-style multiple windows.

If I take my wife out for a cup of coffee, it'll cost me more than $4.99.

Why would you take your wife out for a $5 cup of coffee?

What if he's not?

Who cares? Many non-newbies are ****** programmers.

 

[Captain.Zilog]

Is any PAID iOS developer having problems downloading xcode 4? I'm logged in and says access denied when I try to download. I've even tried using a different browser.

Yes I had the same problem. I found that by clicking on "Member Center" that I had a new licence agreement I needed to agree to. Once I'd done that I was able to download.

 

[mward333]

Installing the vanilla GCC on Mac is a horrible mess, because Apple uses a highly modified version thereof.

GCC is not updated in XCode 4. It's still version 4.2, so you can keep using the gcc that comes with XCode 3.

Not to mention, gcc and llvm-gcc aren't updated for XCode 4. They are the same versions as XCode 3.2.

The only compiler update is clang 2.0.

Like I said, you can compile them yourself using gcc 4.2.1 included in XCode 3 package, which is free.

It was always the case and it still is.

Although, getting newer versions of gcc to work properly under OS X is a pain in the ass.

it's worth pointing out that gcc and llvm/clang/lldb are updated for Xcode 4, so Xcode 3 now has the "old" versions. If you want a binary version of Apple's latest open-source tools, you've got a bit of a road ahead of you to download and build them from source - it's not trivial.

OK, I have two questions to add to the discussion about gcc versions (I copied a few things people said above).

1. A user named iBug2 said that only clang was updated. We really aren't getting any newer version of gcc, perl, python, anything?

2. Is there anywhere that we can see a listing of all the UNIX compiler tools by their version numbers, so that us XCode 3 users can compare to XCode 4 and make an informed decision about the purchase? Granted, it's only $5, but I want to see what I'm getting for my money and time.

Thank you very much for any feedback.

EDIT:

Just somebody typing:

ls -la /usr/bin/

and showing the output would probably answer all of my questions about XCode 4. Thanks!

 

[mdelvecchio]

Apple starts to charge for using everything...

do you have any idea how much Microsoft's Visual Studio.NET costs? hundreds. and you whine about 5 bucks. un-*****-believable.

Why would you take your wife out for a $5 cup of coffee?

he said "take my wife out" for coffee -- that should infer at least two cups of coffee. easily $5 at the leading coffee chains.

 

[iBug2]

Good, then stop stating it will be free as a fact for Lion users then. And promise me you'll eat your own words if it's not. I'll promise to eat my words if it is.

I never stated it as a fact. In every single reply of mine I used the words "likely, probably" etc.

So stop lying.

And yes I think it's "likely" that it'll be free, considering Facetime costs for SL but it comes free with Lion.

Oh btw, I'll only eat my own words, if XCode doesn't come for free with Lion, and also if Lion sells for the same price as the prior OS's. So if Lion sells for cheaper than 124$, then I won't eat anything, since in total it'll be cheaper to get the new XCode than before.

I see the more I try to reason, the more you try to deny, so it's just a futile game between us. Maybe my reasoning is flawed, but I'll stick to my point, for now, that as a student, in an area where $5 can make a difference, Xcode 4 is temporarily out of reach. I still think Microsoft makes a better choice with its free Express Editions and Professional Editions for students.

I don't know if your reasoning is flawed. What's flawed is your history.

If you think the previous XCode versions were "free", then you are either new to Apple, or just never realized they weren't.

XCode is free the same way OS X is free.

OS X comes with every new mac, so it's free in a way, but costs in reality.

XCode comes with every OS X purchase, so it's free in a way, but since OS X costs, XCode costs as well.

Since this is the first time Apple is offering the new XCode for the old OS X base, it does have its own cost.

So Apple has not changed their policy, so far at least.

XCode 4 is the development platform for Lion. Not for Snow Leopard, so Apple is not required to give XCode 4 for free for Snow Leopard, they aren't even required to release a SL compatible version to begin with.

This time they did, and are selling it. Simple as that.

 

[firewood]

Too bad it is paid...

It's paid because free apps get far more 1-star ratings than paid apps.

The current release of Xcode 4 is buggy enough that Apple doesn't need to it to attract even more 1-star down-votes.

 

[Brad Oliver]

1. A user named iBug2 said that only clang was updated. We really aren't getting any newer version of gcc, perl, python, anything?

I can tell you that some of the other posters were right and I was wrong: gcc and gdb are the same versions as in Xcode 3.2.5 (and 3.2.6) while clang was updated. You can't, AFAIK, get Apple's source drops for those 3.2.x gcc/gdb builds yet, but I'm willing to be shown wrong here too.

he said "take my wife out" for coffee -- that should infer at least two cups of coffee. easily $5 at the leading coffee chains.

My joke was lost, I'm afraid. If I took my wife out for a $5 cup of coffee, she'd punch me for being cheap. I'm lucky to get away with $20 at a wine bar.

XCode 4 is the development platform for Lion. Not for Snow Leopard...

A point: Xcode 4.0 ships with the 10.6 SDK and no other: no 10.5 SDK, no 10.7 SDK.

Out of the box, Xcode 4.0 is strictly for Snow Leopard development, although it's equally correct to say it's not the only option for 10.6 given 3.2.x.

 

[iBug2]

A point: Xcode 4.0 ships with the 10.6 SDK and no other: no 10.5 SDK, no 10.7 SDK.

Out of the box, Xcode 4.0 is strictly for Snow Leopard development, although it's equally correct to say it's not the only option for 10.6 given 3.2.x.

You know what I mean. You don't need XCode 4 to develop for 10.6, but you need it to develop for 10.7 (Which has 4.1 actually, not 4.0, but it's still 4.x which is required for 10.7)

 

[Brad Oliver]

You know what I mean. You don't need XCode 4 to develop for 10.6, but you need it to develop for 10.7 (Which has 4.1 actually, not 4.0, but it's still 4.x which is required for 10.7)

I know what you mean, but it only adds to the confusion because you don't need (and can't use) Xcode 4.0 to develop for 10.7, and that is the version being charged for.

 

[iBug2]

I know what you mean, but it only adds to the confusion because you don't need (and can't use) Xcode 4.0 to develop for 10.7, and that is the version being charged for.

Yes, the SL version doesn't allow for 10.7 development obviously.

 

[xStep]

Somehow I find it highly unlikely that Apple would develop their own in-house software on a buggy IDE for too long.

Are you assuming that the in-house developers are using Xcode 4 for things like Garage Band, Final Cut, or iWork. I've heard from one in-house member on one of Apples big apps that they have not even touched Xcode 4 internally.

 

[iBug2]

Are you assuming that the in-house developers are using Xcode 4 for things like Garage Band, Final Cut, or iWork. I've heard from one in-house member on one of Apples big apps that they have not even touched Xcode 4 internally.

If they haven't touched XCode 4, they probably touched 3.2. Or at least they have to use interface builder.

 

[AnonMac50]

I'm surprised nobody thinks this move will help the "casual" developer. How many people that browse the app store - see XCode - and think "I could get into that for $4.99" - click "Buy" on the MAS and have XCode ready to go. Before, they would have to know about the developer site - create a developer account - download and install the developer tools.

Or to put it in another real-world (relevant to me) example: iPhone Development classes will no longer have to go through the "Create a Developer Account" process during the first day of classes. Just make sure students grab XCode from the MAS before class.

I'm wondering how many people will type Xcode into the search bar. Before they came on every Mac disc. If they new about it on the disc, then they would know to go online to the dev site and update if they needed to.

Also, when you could make an account and download the iPhone SDK for free, now you have to make an account, and PURCHASE the SDK.

 

[mward333]

I can tell you that some of the other posters were right and I was wrong: gcc and gdb are the same versions as in Xcode 3.2.5 (and 3.2.6) while clang was updated. You can't, AFAIK, get Apple's source drops for those 3.2.x gcc/gdb builds yet, but I'm willing to be shown wrong here too.

Hi there, Brad Oliver. Thank you for the update. OK, I appreciate knowing that gcc wasn't actually updated for XCode 4.

 

[pilotError]

Does anyone really think there will be a retail box of 10.7?

They are killing pretty much all software sales in the store and putting everything on the App store. I really wouldn't expect anything at this point.

The death by 1000 cuts is pretty appropriate. While Apple is certainly extremely fair, changing the way consumer software is sold, so you don't have to buy a license for each Mac in the house, it really has become al carte to squeeze every last impulse buy dollar out of you pocket.

 

[mward333]

Does anyone really think there will be a retail box of 10.7?

I'm on the same page as you are--I was guessing that OS 10.7 could be delivered easily by the App Store.

I would be happy about App Store delivery of a full OS, because it would save a lot of needless packaging ending up in a landfill. So I'm in favor of OS 10.7 coming by the App Store, if it does....

 

[mdriftmeyer]

OK, I have two questions to add to the discussion about gcc versions (I copied a few things people said above).

1. A user named iBug2 said that only clang was updated. We really aren't getting any newer version of gcc, perl, python, anything?

2. Is there anywhere that we can see a listing of all the UNIX compiler tools by their version numbers, so that us XCode 3 users can compare to XCode 4 and make an informed decision about the purchase? Granted, it's only $5, but I want to see what I'm getting for my money and time.

Thank you very much for any feedback.

EDIT:

Just somebody typing:

ls -la /usr/bin/

and showing the output would probably answer all of my questions about XCode 4. Thanks!

GCC is stalled at 4.2.1 due to GCC moving to GPLv3 licensing and hence the need to develop Clang and advance LLVM.

Clang is updated, but very soon LLVM 2.9 and Clang 2.9 will be released in the first or second week of April.

Clang 3.0 is already being developed in LLVM/Clang trunk.

A ton of advances in LLVM/Clang/libc++/LLDB are rapidly reaching a stable position, including OpenCL.

You can install GCC 4.3+ using MacPorts. You won't be building ObjC Cocoa apps directly against it until GCC 4.6 and the GNUstep folks work on bringing Objective-2.0 to GCC.

http://gcc.gnu.org/gcc-4.6/changes.html#objective-c

Apple's focus is LLVM/Clang and with all the cross development from IBM, Sony, Cray, Google, and many more joining in to advance it Apple's decision was a wise one.

When LLVM/Clang hits the 3.0 milestone you'll see a big update for the underlying tools with Xcode 4.x. It's about 6 months away.

 

[KnightWRX]

I'm on the same page as you are--I was guessing that OS 10.7 could be delivered easily by the App Store.

I would be happy about App Store delivery of a full OS, because it would save a lot of needless packaging ending up in a landfill. So I'm in favor of OS 10.7 coming by the App Store, if it does....

That's fine for you, it's less fine for all the other Mac users that don't have access to fast downloads. Broadband isn't so broad for everyone. We're not quite there yet where Online is the only distribution method for full OSes.

However, distributing OS X over FTP/HTTP/Whatever is long overdue. I was installing Linux distributions straight from HTTP/FTP over 15 years ago. All that was required was a bootable installer that usually fit on nothing more than single floppy disk. (disc ? Wait, did we use c or k for floppies ? God that was long ago...).

I think you'll still see boxed versions of Lion, but Apple will probably also offer it straight from the MAS like they did the preview.

 

[mward333]

Thank you, mdriftmeyer, for the very kind and informative reply! Much appreciated!

I think you'll still see boxed versions of Lion, but Apple will probably also offer it straight from the MAS like they did the preview.

I totally agree with you, KnightWRX--probably two ways to get Lion, either through the App Store or through a cardboard boxed delivery on a disk.

 

[Blakadher]

Oh gosh, pull the other heartstring. These underprivileged kids of which you speak — presumably they already have Macs on which to program? Presumably they also have parents or carers with credit cards?

Kalsta, do you share this account or are you just schizo? Back in post #418 you said:

Yep. It's sad alright.

Be thankful you live in a country where you can earn that much in less time than it takes to type a lengthy complaint on MacRumours. The other half of the world isn't so lucky.

And now you're complaining about someone pulling a heartstring? WTF?

 

[Tex-Twil]

When I click buy in the AppStore it asks me for my password but then nothing happens ... I've already done this twice.

Hello,
I'm still unable to buy it. It asks me for my password 2x. The second time it say "enter your password to view the invoice and confirm" but nothing happens !?

 

[lfc]

I don't like what they seem to have done with the new documentation. When I searched for information on "OpenCL", all I got were links to web pages. The previous documentation packages had all of this information available locally, which is very convenient for me (since I bring my laptop on the train every day).

It's all in there locally for me. Make sure you downloaded the documentation, look in Xcode preferences.

P.S. "After updating to Xcode4, does no one else not have syntax highlighting in quick look anymore?"
No one else?