iPad Pro Why IPP cannot compile programs?

[bensisko]

Not rocket surgery Limitations of ios that's it

I really hope, such powerful machine limited only by their actual OS.

Not a limitation of the OS, rather a limitation that no developer has built an a development environment for iOS.

Guess the real question is: if it can't do that for whatever reason, is it a computer, or, more specifically, is it a replacement for PCs/Macs. Imo the answer is no, because in my rulebook a computer is a versatile device that can run any software. The iPad can't, and as long as this situation persists I tend to negate the question if the iPad is the "Post-PC Era" device Tim Cook likes to talk about.

Anyway, the iPP is a great device, I really enjoy using it. Such a pity there is no Xcode for it, the hardware is clearly powerful enough

It all depends on what you want to do with said computer. If you’re not a developer, the iPad more than meets the need.

Not every computer will meet every need. A MacBook Air will not meet a Gamers need. A powerful tower will not meet a mobile professionals need. A Windows computer will not run Mac OS X software and OS X will not run Windows software (without an emulator).

This whole idea that we’re hanging the definition of what a device is based on a marketing moniker is silly to me.

 

[09872738]

Not a limitation of the OS, rather a limitation that no developer has built an a development environment for iOS.

Well... The true reason is that Apple does not allow running any executable (machine) code other than that approved by the App store review process to run on an iPad.
So yes, no developer has built one, but not for the lack of interest (or ability) to do so; its just not allowed by Apple's policies, any attempt to have an IDE approved by Apple is futile.

At present all that's possible is interpreted code (e.g. there are some Python IDEs), but those are somewhat limited. Also, due to sandboxing restrictions, programs written in mentioned IDEs can only run within the scope of those IDEs and cannot be installed as fully fledged iOS apps

 

[bensisko]

Well... The true reason is that Apple does not allow running any executable (machine) code other than that approved by the App store review process to run on an iPad.
So yes, no developer has built one, but not for the lack of interest (or ability) to do so; its just not allowed by Apple's policies, any attempt to have an IDE approved by Apple is futile.

At present all that's possible is interpreted code (e.g. there are some Python IDEs), but those are somewhat limited. Also, due to sandboxing restrictions, programs written in mentioned IDEs can only run within the scope of those IDEs and cannot be installed as fully fledged iOS apps

Again, not an OS limitation but a policy limitation.

Edit: The policy is largely meant so people don’t build their own App stores. I think if Apple and a developer agreed on functionality, it’s entirely feasible that a dev environment could be created - it would have to be a large enough player who would be willing to make large enough concessions.

 

[macfacts]

Apple products are appliances, not computers. Apple prefers to be the gatekeeper between users and their devices.

 

[Khedron]

Apple products are appliances, not computers. Apple prefers to be the gatekeeper between users and their devices.

And collect 30% (App Store) to 50% (News+) for acting as the middle man

 

[maflynn]

Apple products are appliances, not computers. Apple prefers to be the gatekeeper between users and their devices.

I have to disagree - I know I'm stating the obvious, but Its a computer, it has a cpu, ram, storage, it also uses a method to input and output its results. It needs an operating system and can run applications. In that sense, its no different then a laptop. Having the iPad locked down is immaterial to the fact its a computer. It may not be as flexible as a laptop but that doesn't diminish the fact its a computer.

 

[StralyanPithecus]

I have to disagree - I know I'm stating the obvious, but Its a computer, it has a cpu, ram, storage, it also uses a method to input and output its results. It needs an operating system and can run applications. In that sense, its no different then a laptop. Having the iPad locked down is immaterial to the fact its a computer. It may not be as flexible as a laptop but that doesn't diminish the fact its a computer.

So is my smart thermostat, it has a CPU, RAM, storage, has an OS, input and output actions. Can it be called a proper computer? I will leave the answer to you. Lately the boundaries between appliance and computer are becoming thinner and thinner.

 

[09872738]

It may not be as flexible as a laptop but that doesn't diminish the fact its a computer.

Well... add a keyboard, give it mouse support, subtract the app store limitations and it is even more flexible than a laptop due to its touch / pencil support.

So is my smart thermostat, it has a CPU, RAM, storage, has an OS, input and output actions. Can it be called a proper computer? I will leave the answer to you. Lately the boundaries between appliance and computer are becoming thinner and thinner.

While I agree mentioned boundaries become thinner by the day, the comparison is not necessarily a fair one: could your smart thermostat be converted to a computer given OS support, mouse etc? The answer could probably be yes, but not without changing the characteristics/hardware of the device to a degree that it cannot be identified as thermostat any more.

In case of the iPad its different. All that's required to make the iPP indistinguishable from a laptop is a slightly modified OS... or just the option to install an ARM version of macOS. No hardware changes whatsoever required to accomplish this transition.

 

[bensisko]

While I agree mentioned boundaries become thinner by the day, the comparison is not necessarily a fair one: could your smart thermostat be converted to a computer given OS support, mouse etc? The answer could probably be yes, but not without changing the characteristics/hardware of the device to a degree that it cannot be identified as thermostat any more.

In case of the iPad its different. All that's required to make the iPP indistinguishable from a laptop is a slightly modified OS... or just the option to install an ARM version of macOS. No hardware changes whatsoever required to accomplish this transition.

I think it’s pretty simple - they’re all computers, you would just have to look at the thermostat and say “No, this computer does not meet my particular need to play Assassin’s Creed: Origins (at least at this time).”

 

[muzzy996]

In case of the iPad its different. All that's required to make the iPP indistinguishable from a laptop is a slightly modified OS... or just the option to install an ARM version of macOS. No hardware changes whatsoever required to accomplish this transition.

Perhaps they’re indistinguishable until one needs those different hardware features. For some the added horsepower/power of a laptop is the distinguishing factor, myself included.

 

[JasonsDeli]

Apple will eventually release their development suite for ios

So if iOS is so limited, what makes you confident that Apple will release a development suite in the near future? Very contradictory as we know what iOS 13 can do right now.

 

[bensisko]

So if iOS is so limited, what makes you confident that Apple will release a development suite in the near future? Very contradictory as we know what iOS 13 can do right now.

Personally, I'd like to see something different than other developers. Instead of a full fledged version of xCode or Swift, I want to see a few levels above Swift Playgrounds and much closer to the old Hypercard (in concept). Allow people to build simple Apps, maybe even prototype an app that could be exported to xCode for completion or to build additional elements.

 

[JasonsDeli]

Personally, I'd like to see something different than other developers. Instead of a full fledged version of xCode or Swift, I want to see a few levels above Swift Playgrounds and much closer to the old Hypercard (in concept). Allow people to build simple Apps, maybe even prototype an app that could be exported to xCode for completion or to build additional elements.

I agree. I remember building an app with RealBasic. Maybe something along those lines?

 

[Khedron]

I have to disagree - I know I'm stating the obvious, but Its a computer, it has a cpu, ram, storage, it also uses a method to input and output its results. It needs an operating system and can run applications. In that sense, its no different then a laptop. Having the iPad locked down is immaterial to the fact its a computer. It may not be as flexible as a laptop but that doesn't diminish the fact its a computer.

Yes even a calculator is a computer since it computes. Ironically my TI-85 calculator had a greater capacity to run custom code than iOS devices.

 

[andyw715]

Maybe the direction of iPadOS inching closer to MacOS (merge) will allow for a desktop dev env, some day.