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macOS Programming on a Mac vs. PC
- Thread starter BLINK
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That was a rather open question.
As long as the language is standards-based, you should have no problem using the language on any platform where it's certified.
That said, anything related to utilising specific operating-system related features such as GUI are much different, except in Java. Since Java is the same output regardless of platform (but version-specific), you can run it on any platform with the correct version (usually the same or newer) Java Virtual Machine.
As long as the language is standards-based, you should have no problem using the language on any platform where it's certified.
That said, anything related to utilising specific operating-system related features such as GUI are much different, except in Java. Since Java is the same output regardless of platform (but version-specific), you can run it on any platform with the correct version (usually the same or newer) Java Virtual Machine.
As mentioned, Java programming is the same on almost any platform. Traditionally, Macs lagged way behind Windows as far as Java releases are concerned, but the lag a lot less now (a few months, sometimes less). Macs also are much more Java-friendly.
Non-Java GUI programming is, as mentioned, much different. Honestly, enough tools exist on both platforms to make GUI programming similar in experience, though much different in actual code.
C, C++ both program the same on either platform (again, GUI code will be platform-specific).
A giant plus to Mac programming is that you have access to all the UNIX-type stuff in a way which is a part of the OS, as opposed to on a PC, where it all needs to be added on. I love the Terminal app on OS X - nothing like it on PCs.
Finally, if you're backed by someone with money, the tools on PCs are a bit better than what OS X has to offer, but not substantially.
Non-Java GUI programming is, as mentioned, much different. Honestly, enough tools exist on both platforms to make GUI programming similar in experience, though much different in actual code.
C, C++ both program the same on either platform (again, GUI code will be platform-specific).
A giant plus to Mac programming is that you have access to all the UNIX-type stuff in a way which is a part of the OS, as opposed to on a PC, where it all needs to be added on. I love the Terminal app on OS X - nothing like it on PCs.
Finally, if you're backed by someone with money, the tools on PCs are a bit better than what OS X has to offer, but not substantially.
Try Java, PHP, Perl, C, and C++. Also AppleScript and Xcode (Think VB.NET for the Mac but based on C, Applescript, or Java). These are all free with every Mac. Nothing to download or buy.
What programming tools are pre-installed with Windows.... none.
What programming tools are pre-installed with Windows.... none.
bousozoku said:
Not exactly. If you are doing GUI-programming with Java, using Swing or something similar, the output can be different depending on the platform, if you are using a system-based look&feel. Even if you are using a cross-platform look&feel, there's no guarantee you will get exactly the same output.
It's true. Recently, I got to adapt a Java program that had only been supported on Windows to the Mac. There are some subtle visual and behavioral differences between the two platforms when using Swing. That said, most of the time, it does behave the same.dejo said:
UNIX!
If you are planning on furthering your programming education, for example pursing a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree then you will be taking classes the use UNIX for everything they do. Having a UNIX box available in your own home, and also being able to do everything else on it as well is a HUGE benefit. As far as coding applications, XCode should do everything you need. I am using Eclipse (Eclipse.org) for a class right now as well.
If you are planning on furthering your programming education, for example pursing a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree then you will be taking classes the use UNIX for everything they do. Having a UNIX box available in your own home, and also being able to do everything else on it as well is a HUGE benefit. As far as coding applications, XCode should do everything you need. I am using Eclipse (Eclipse.org) for a class right now as well.
How about hardware?
How about hardware as well as software to have a stable workstation for programming in Java and later on Objective-C down the road? I am just getting into it and am wondering what is recomended for being able to program, multitask, and maybe use virtual machine software like Parallels simultaneously.
How about hardware as well as software to have a stable workstation for programming in Java and later on Objective-C down the road? I am just getting into it and am wondering what is recomended for being able to program, multitask, and maybe use virtual machine software like Parallels simultaneously.
Lots of ram is the main thing. I had Eclipse and Flex Builder running at the same time at my last job, and 3GB was *barely* enough. Then if you're compiling large projects, more cores is very helpful.
Any recommendations?
Any recommendations? I am considering a Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook Pro, and a Sun Workstation.
Any recommendations? I am considering a Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook Pro, and a Sun Workstation.
Up until last Friday I was doing all programming on a 13" white macbook and it worked great. I've since upgraded to a 17" macbook pro for the larger screen.
Some info:
- I program in Perl and Objective-C 95% of the time. Macs are good for most languages, if you have to use Visual C++ then they suck
but other than that you should be fine.
- In college everything was taught in Java, I feel bad for anyone in the CS major that didn't have previous experience(I did).
- Get the basics down first, start with a language that doesn't require compile time because it's easier to experiment. Try PHP or Perl first, PHP might be easier for a beginner.
- READ. Purchase books and read.
Some info:
- I program in Perl and Objective-C 95% of the time. Macs are good for most languages, if you have to use Visual C++ then they suck
but other than that you should be fine.- In college everything was taught in Java, I feel bad for anyone in the CS major that didn't have previous experience(I did).
- Get the basics down first, start with a language that doesn't require compile time because it's easier to experiment. Try PHP or Perl first, PHP might be easier for a beginner.
- READ. Purchase books and read.
Up until last Friday I was doing all programming on a 13" white macbook and it worked great. I've since upgraded to a 17" macbook pro for the larger screen.
Some info:
- I program in Perl and Objective-C 95% of the time. Macs are good for most languages, if you have to use Visual C++ then they suck
- In college everything was taught in Java, I feel bad for anyone in the CS major that didn't have previous experience(I did).
- Get the basics down first, start with a language that doesn't require compile time because it's easier to experiment. Try PHP or Perl first, PHP might be easier for a beginner.
- READ. Purchase books and read.
My CS degree is all Java.