How to Set Up C++ on a Mac
To start C++ coding on a Mac you
need to install Apple’s Xcode. This is a free, full featured IDE that’s
designed to create native Apple apps. However, it can also be used to create
C++ code relatively easily.
XCODE
Apple’s Xcode is primarily
designed for users to develop apps for macOS, iOS, tvOS and watchOS
applications in Swift or Objective-C, but you can use it for C++ too.
Step 1
Start by opening the App Store on
your Mac, Apple Menu > App Store. In the Search box enter Xcode and press
Return. There will be many suggestions filling the App Store window but it’s
the first option, Xcode, that you need to click on.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
Step 2
Take a moment to browse through
the app’s information, including the compatibility to ensure you have the
correct version of macOS. Xcode requires macOS 10.12.6 or later to install and
work.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
Step 3
When you’re ready, click on the
Get button which then turns into ‘Install App’. Enter your Apple ID and Xcode
begins to download and install. It may take some time depending on the speed of
your Internet connection.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
Step 4
When the installation is
complete, click on the Open button to launch Xcode. Click Agree to the licence terms
and enter your password to allow Xcode to make changes to the system. When
you’ve done that, Xcode begins to install additional components.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
Step 5
With everything now installed,
including the additional components, Xcode launches, displaying the version
number along with three choices and any recent projects that you’ve worked on;
although for a fresh install, this shows blank.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
Step 6
Start by clicking on Create New
Xcode Project; this opens a template window from which to choose the platform
you’re developing code for. Click the macOS tab, then the Command Line Tool
option and finally, Next to continue.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
Step 7
Fill in the various fields but
ensure that the Language option at the bottom is set to C++. Simply choose it
from the drop-down list. When you’ve filled in the fields, and made sure that
C++ is the chosen language, click on the Next button to continue.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
Step 8
The next step asks where to
create a Git Repository for all your future code. Choose a location on your Mac,
or a network location, and click the Create button. When you’ve done all that,
you can start to code. The left-hand pane details the files used in the C++
program you’re coding. Click on the main.cpp file in the list.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
Step 9
You can see that Xcode has
automatically completed a basic Hello World program for you. The differences
here are that the int main () function now contains multiple functions and the
layout is slightly different. This is just Xcode utilising the content that’s
available to your Mac.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
Step 10
When you want to run the code,
click on Product > Run. You may be asked to enable Developer Mode on the
Mac; this is to authorise Xcode to perform functions without needing your
password every session. When the program executes, the output is displayed at
the bottom of the Xcode window.
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| How to Set Up C++ on a Mac |
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