Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Open Source
Why doesn't gcc come with OS X?
With an operating system that requires at least 3 gigs of space to install, and that touts itself as one built on UNIX you would think a C compiler would come standard. I know I'm in the minority of OS X users in that I spend at least 50% of my time in my terminal. However, I think it's wrong that one is required to fill out a registration, albeit free, to get gcc (the GNU Compiler Collection) for OS X.Once you have filled out your ADC (Apple Developer Connection) registration, you can then download the latest version of gcc, but only bundled in with Xcode Tools 2.2. This lovely suite weighs in at 833.7 MB for the version released on Nov 10, 2005.
You are entitled, however, to choose the Xcode Legacy Tools to the tune of 20.2 MB and thusly, older versions of gcc (gcc 2.95.2 and gcc 3.1).
Why is it important to include gcc with OS X? First of all, gcc is the basis for compiling most open source software. Secondly, gcc is released under the GPL and in my personal opinion should be free of registration and/or terms of use requirements. I shouldn't have to spend time with a registration and should definitely be able to get a build of gcc for OS X / Darwin / PowerPC without having to read a huge license and checking "I agree to the terms listed above". Both a registration and license are required to gain access to the ADC downloads.
Apple, please open up at least the gcc compiler and release it as a free download linked on the gcc home page. This has officially been added to my holiday wish list. As usual, feel free to rant in the comments about my open source opinions.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joshua Ochs said 5:07PM on 11-16-2005
Excuse me? Did you throw away your developer tools CD (included with every version of Mac OS X for free), or not install it from the Tiger DVD?
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Joshua Ochs said 5:08PM on 11-16-2005
Let me say it plainly - gcc IS included with every copy of Mac OS X. Nice uninformed bullshit.
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gr33n said 5:18PM on 11-16-2005
"With an operating system that requires at least 3 gigs of space to install, and that touts itself as one built on UNIX you would think a C compiler would come standard."
No ...
"Apple, please open up at least the gcc compiler and release it as a free download linked on the gcc home page."
apple, please continue your business as usual and concentrate on more important things ...
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Eric said 5:08PM on 11-16-2005
As far as I can tell, gcc DOES come with OS X. First, if you buy Tiger, you can install the Developer Tools right from the DVD--no need for an ADC account.
Second, and even easier, I just got a new iMac and noticed that in Applications -> Installers is the Developer Tools installer. Again, install that and you have gcc.
Am I missing something???
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Rui Carmo said 5:11PM on 11-16-2005
Amazing. Don't people ever look in the Terminal after installing the Developer Tools?
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Henry said 5:46PM on 11-16-2005
gcc is included with the development tools which have come with OS X since at least 10.3.
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Jason von Nieda said 5:17PM on 11-16-2005
I could be mistaken but I'm sure I remember XCode / Developer Tools being on the OS X DVD and when I just bought a brand new Mac Mini two weeks ago the installer package was already on the hard drive.
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fabienne said 5:17PM on 11-16-2005
1. Developer Tools is separate from the standard install.
2. It's huge. One should not have to have a massive install just for a C compiler.
That's why I'm petitioning for gcc to be standard. Perhaps this is too much to ask with a distro that weighs in at more than three gigs?
Continue to let me know why this shouldn't be the case in the comments:
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Ed Silva said 5:22PM on 11-16-2005
You missed the fact that gcc is also available through the darwin source:
http://www.opensource.apple.com/darwinsource/
This post is incredibly uninformed.
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Felix said 5:20PM on 11-16-2005
They just shouldn't oblige us to install a 800mb software package with Xcode and such, if you just need gcc. Doesn't matter if it's provided with the installer or not.
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Felix said 2:04AM on 11-17-2005
They just shouldn't oblige us to install a 800mb software package with Xcode and such, if you just need gcc. Doesn't matter if it's provided with the installer or not.
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Christian said 5:26PM on 11-16-2005
As others have said, this is a baseless complaint. GCC doesn't come in the spirit of Apple's "keeping it simple" strategy. A significant, overwhelming majority of people will never need to use gcc on their Macs; why burden them with the extra baggage? I use lots of Unix software, but haven't needed gcc yet. Why would I? A lot of software builds differently on OS X anyway; it's not like you can just go and grab any .tar.gz off the Unix or Linux shelf and expect to be flying after a ./configure && make && make install.
What was the reason for wanting gcc again?
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fabienne said 5:28PM on 11-16-2005
Ed Silva:
Thanks for the link. Care to help decipher which of these in the list in the link you shared is the newest version of gcc?:
gcc-5026.1
gcc_binary_shlibs-1
gcc_os-1809
gcc_os_35-3506.0.80
gcc_select-48
gccfast-1621.1
thanks,
fbz
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Joshua Ochs said 5:34PM on 11-16-2005
What is with the damn troll here? You can only install the GCC 4.0 package, which is 17.2MB (on my Tiger DVD), if you so desire. Nothing is forcing you to install a damn other thing.
It's included with OS X. The source is available with Darwin (http://www.opensource.apple.com/darwinsource/10.4.3/). It can be installed separately and easily. WTF is your problem, other than a general lack of intelligence?
And before you respond, you're the one who posted it here for the world to see. If you don't want to be called out on it, then maybe you should do some EXTREMELY basic research before posting your misinformed rant.
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Joshua Ochs said 5:40PM on 11-16-2005
Another choice troll - 3GB to install. "Essential System Software" is 1.9GB on my Tiger DVD. 1.6GB after that is printer drivers (!), and 1.1GB is additional languages. So the OS is actually under 2GB, which includes a hell of a lot of applications, the full BSD layer (formerly optional), etc. And that's a complaint when the smallest drive I can find anymore is 40GB?
Have you installed a Linux distribution lately with X and a desktop environment? You'll be lucky to install that in under 2GB - my text-based Gentoo is over 2GB, and that's with about a dozen small (sudo, bash, mlnet, etc) programs installed. Windows likewise uses well over a gig once installed; a gig more once you apply all of the patches.
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Mike Piatek-Jimenez said 5:41PM on 11-16-2005
I certainly can't speak for Apple here, but maybe they didn't include gcc with the standard "distro" so as to save disk space. After all, 99% of Mac OS X users will never need it. I think it's pretty cool that they do include the Developer Tools with the Mac OS X CD/DVD, so anyone can get started developing software for the Mac for "free."
You could always download and compile gcc manually. If you are compiling open source software anyway, gcc is not much different. I haven't done this on Mac OS X specifically, but I don't think it would be much different than compiling it on other platforms. No need to sign a license agreement.
As for the space taken by Mac OS X, you're absolutely correct that 3Gb is large for an OS installation. If you look at what's included though, it's not too unreasonable. For example, in Tiger the /System/Library/Frameworks directory is 760Mb. That's a big chunk of the 3Gb installation, but it enables Mac developers to create some really cool applications without writing a lot of code. Adding WebKit or QuickTime functionality into an application is amazingly easy, and several apps have made use of them (and other frameworks) to cut development time, which ultimately improves the quality of delivered products.
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Dr. B said 5:42PM on 11-16-2005
It's hard to comment on this ridiculous "article" without sounding like a troll, but c'mon dude - don't waste our time with your mis-informed whining. As for the "over 3 GB's," try doing a custom install and removing the unnecessary print drivers and language support. Seriously, your little rant here does nothing but belittle your own intelligence.
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Gary said 5:47PM on 11-16-2005
Sorry TUAW usually has such interesting and accurate posts. What a poor, uninformed bit of junk this post is. It only goes to show the writers ignorance or twisted sense of the environment. Apple have really done developers proud, in my opinion, and are a great example of a commercial entity working in support with the open source community. Sure there are some open source extremists out there who will disagree that any open source links to a commercial entity is the end of the world, but then they are just that extremists views.
Keep up the great work Apple, your producing a fantastic, free, tool sets for many developers who would otherwise not be able to afford such great tools. This both boosts your platforms strength and the free or low cost quality software many folks love (and some take for granted, as if it was their right).
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hauk said 5:51PM on 11-16-2005
RTFM
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lakiolen said 6:05PM on 11-16-2005
15: What are you going to compile gcc with if you don't have a compiler?
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