Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2:Getting and In-
stalling Xcode
In This Chapter
Selecting a Mac for Xcode
Signing up for development
Getting started with Xcode
Xcode is free and runs on any Intel Mac. However, hobby developers and professionals have different hardware
and software requirements. A system tuned for maximum productivity may be very different from one used for
experimentation or hobby coding.
Selecting a Mac for Xcode
If you own an Intel Mac, you can run Xcode on it. But understanding the differences between a streamlined and
productive working environment and a slow and informal one is useful.
Choosing a processor
Surprisingly, processors have less influence on productivity than other factors. A faster processor can speed up
compilation times, but unless you're working on industrial projects with hundreds or thousands of source files,
you'll find little obvious benefit to running Xcode on a high-speed multi-core Mac Pro.
Xcode compiles incrementally, which means that only updated files and their dependencies are recompiled after
an edit. Compared to Xcode 3, Xcode 4's improved compiler technology cuts compile times even further. iPhone
projects compile relatively quickly, even on a Mac mini, shown in Figure 2.1
However, other Xcode features such as code completion and source control can be noticeably faster on a faster
Mac. Xcode 4 does more behind the scenes while you edit. It checks code for errors as you type it, and it can also
display live help. The faster your Mac, and especially the faster your Mac's disk system, the more speedily these
features work for you. On a slow Mac it can take a few seconds to check a file for errors, so there are obvious be-
nefits to working on a faster Mac.
FIGURE 2.1
You do not need the latest, fastest, and largest Mac to use Xcode. You can create professional iPhone apps on a
MacBook or Mac mini.
