Xcode Developer Tools suite
If you would like to develop software for Mac OS X -- or take a deeper look at its inner workings -- the Xcode Developer Tools can help. They include software from compilers and debuggers to tools to help troubleshoot, maintain, and explore your system. Here's a collection of tools that may interest or help you with projects:
- Xcode is an integrated development environment (IDE) for writing applications in C, C++, Objective-C, Java, AppleScript, and other languages
- Interface Builder is a rapid interface development application
- GCC, or the GNU C Compiler, is Apple's standard compiler for software
- GDB, or the GNU debugger, is Apple's standard debugger for software
- PackageMaker, which lets you build packages for the Apple Installer application
- Property List Editor, to view/edit property list (".plist") files prevalent throughout Mac OS X
- Spin Control, which may help developers figure out which programs are displaying the dreaded Spinning rainbow cursor, why, so they can then eliminate those problems.
The Developer Tools also include documentation that can help you write Mac OS X software or use the developer utilities.
The Apple Developer Connection Web site lets you download the Developer Tools; you just have to sign up for a free account. (Other levels of accounts with greater benefits are also available, for a fee, of course.)
New Macs may also come with a recent installer for the Developer Tools; check in /Applications/Installers.
