macOS Wanted: Guide to setting up PowerPC dev enviroment

[Hack5190]

Objective:
--> Set up a development environment for compiling PowerPC compatible programs.

Resources:
--> Yosemite - 10.10 w/Parallels 11 & VirtualBox (2015 MacBook Pro)
--> Leopard - 10.5 (G5)
--> ESXi 5.x (non-Apple hardware)

Based on some research Snow Leopard - 10.6 was the last OS to support a version of X-code for the PPC (without hacking). I have dmg's of both 10.6 and 10.6 server (w/valid activation key).

Where / how to proceed from here. Parallels won't support 10.6, only 10.6 server. VirtualBox (vm's) won't install either version of 10.6 - they PANIC on boot.

My preferred environment would be to host 10.6 on the ESXi server - easily accessed and nothing installed on the MacBook (I want to keep it clean for my job). After 3 days of trying to set this up I'm looking for a guide on how to make something work...

 

[firewood]

Consider buying a suitably old used MacBook or Mac Mini that once shipped with 10.5 or 10.6. It might cost less than your time, as well as still having resale value when you're done. You could also run it remote from your current MacBook, just like having Xcode on a server.

 

[Hack5190]

Buying a computer to host a dev environment is an option, thanks.

But before I start searching Craigslist and ebay I have a new question: "Is Snow Leopard the best version to use for X-code - PPC programming?"

 

[Madd the Sane]

Xcode 3.2.6 removed PowerPC as a default 32-bit build target. You can force PowerPC executables to be built.

You could also use 3.2.5. IIRC, 3.2.6 only fixed a bug in regards to iOS development.

 

[Hack5190]

Madd the Sane the goal is to have the features of Xcode4 and the 10.4/10.5 SDK. A search on the web turned up several guides how to do this. Unfortunately none of them indicate versions of OS X or Xcode4.

This weekend I tried Mountain Lion and (the last version of) Xcode4. No errors when installing Xcode3, but there were no SDK files either .

I'll keep trying combos till I find one that works ....

 

[firewood]

I would try OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard with this Xcode install help: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/...well-as-full-10-4-10-5-sdk-support-to-xcode-4

 

[Hack5190]

firewood thats the guide I followed for my failed attempt. Thanks for the tip I'll try Snow Leopard next....

 

[0007776]

Consider buying a suitably old used MacBook or Mac Mini that once shipped with 10.5 or 10.6. It might cost less than your time, as well as still having resale value when you're done. You could also run it remote from your current MacBook, just like having Xcode on a server.

If you're buying a used computer for compiling PowerPC software is there a good reason to buy an early intel machine vs one of the last generations of PPC? It seems like you would be better off with the PPC machine for this use.

 

[Hack5190]

Although my first projects are for the PPC, compiling on Intel allows me more options. For now that dev environment will be virtual (Parallels). At some point in the future it will go physical.