iOS development using Windows toolchain

The iPhone SDK Agreement that every developer must agree to before downloading the SDK states (section 2.2 (a))

So you may no install the SDK (or any part of it including the Cocoa Touch libraries etc) on a non-Apple computer. If you are running Windows on a Mac then you would be OK here.

If someone else has given you a copy of the SDK then they are in breech of the agreement they signed (or someone is) (Section 2.5):

So basically you can only install the SDK or any part of it on an Apple computer. You cannot derive split out parts of the SDK (like the Cocoa Touch libraries) to create a derivative work so this would, in my eyes, prevent the creation of a toolchain that linked to the required libraries on Windows. If you do Apple may pursue you for damages in court.

So it's not illegal: there is no law against it. But it is breaching a contract and Apple can pursue you or anyone else who helps you (if they have a similar contract with Apple) through the courts for breach of contract and damages.

In short: I'd not recommend it.

 

Possibly, although only if such a toolchain could be achieved without breaking the no "decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, attempt to derive the source code of, modify, decrypt, or create derivative works of the SDK". I would consider any non-Apple toolchain that used any code, libraries etc from the SDK would be against this. Again it's not illegal to do the things prohibited by this agreement. There is no law passed specifically for the SDK. You would simply be in breach of contract and standard contract law would apply.

I see no reason to even attempt this on a Mac: just use Mac OSX and XCode.

 

Yes, but wouldn't that be pointless?

 

The closest thing for what you're asking for is Mono.
http://monotouch.net/
That of course, limits you to C#.

 

In what way will this result in a cross platform application? Any iOS library linking will result in an iOS only application...

 

In theory I would say yes. It all comes down to whether you really think Apple will take you to court or not.

 

The gcc and llvm compiler tools are open source. Apple's Objective C runtime, UIKit frameworks, and codesigning tools (etc.) are not.

You'd have to consult an attorney in your jurisdiction about whether using the latter against Apple's license terms, and/or doing a complete clean room rewrite of all the libraries plus a reverse engineering of the codesigning process, would cause you legal problems.

If using the Mac UI causes you to go blind or somesuch, one possible alternative is to create a Visual Studio front end under Windows that actually runs Xcode on a Mac (remote Xserve, VMWare host, etc.) to produce binaries.

 

Nope, not possible.

 

iOS devices are ARM. The normal SDK usage is to build in Intel (for Intel) and test in the simulator. Once that works you cross-compile to ARM. Without having access to the SDK already and being able to put an app on there (so paying Apple $99) you can't get anything like GCC onto the device. Even if you can you'll need a whole lot of toolchain to make it work.

Other things you won't have: remote debugging, remote Instruments.