Xcode 4.3 Changes
Apple recently released Xcode 4.3. I did not notice many changes in Xcode 4.3, not enough for me to update Xcode Tools Sensei. This post details what changed in Xcode 4.3.
The Xcode Tools Are Packaged in a Single Application
The biggest change in Xcode 4.3 is how Xcode is installed and packaged. Previous versions of Xcode required you to run an installer that installed the Xcode Tools in /Developer or another directory. Xcode 4.3 works like a typical Mac application, where the Xcode Tools appear as a single application in the Finder and install in your Applications folder. Xcode 4.3 is easier to install, uninstall, and update.
Launching Other Developer Tools
Since Xcode 4.3 is a single application you may be wondering how to launch the other tools that come with Xcode, such as Instruments. Launch them from Xcode by choosing Xcode > Open Developer Tool. Choose the tool you want to launch from the submenu. If the tool you want to launch is not in the submenu, choose More Developer Tools. Choosing More Developer Tools takes you to Apple’s developer downloads page, where you can download and install additional tools. If you want to run the Mac OpenGL developer tools that I cover in Chapter 11 of Xcode Tools Sensei, you must choose More Developer Tools and install the Graphics Tools for Xcode package from Apple’s developer page. Download the disk image and drag the applications to your Applications folder.
I don’t know how to add tools to Xcode’s Open Developer Tool menu. I downloaded the Graphics Tools for Xcode package and copied the applications to the Contents/Applications folder inside Xcode’s application bundle, but the applications did not appear in the Open Developer Tool menu. I asked about adding tools to the Open Developer Tool menu on Apple’s paid developer forums, but I have not received any answers.
Update (February 22, 2012)
I received an answer on Apple’s developer forums to my question on adding tools to the Open Developer Tool menu. You can read the solution by reading user18861′s answer to the following question on the Ask Different website:
In Xcode 4.3, where do I put the additional tools?
When the answer mentions /Applications and /Resources, it means the Applications and Resources folders inside Xcode’s application bundle.
Installing Command-Line Tools
Xcode 4.3 does not initially install a copy of command-line tools that allow you to compile programs from the Terminal. You can install the command-line tools from Xcode’s Downloads preferences.
Accessing File and Project Templates
Because Xcode 4.3 does not reside in a Developer folder, you must open the Xcode 4.3 application bundle to access things like Apple’s file and project templates. Select Xcode from the Finder, right-click, and choose Show Package Contents to examine the application bundle. The most interesting directory in Xcode’s application bundle is the following directory:
Contents/Developer
Auto Layout
Cocoa application projects created with Xcode 4.3 enable auto layout. If you don’t want to use auto layout, select the xib file from the project navigator, open the file inspector, and deselect the Use Auto Layout checkbox.
ARC Conversion
In Xcode 4.3 you can use Xcode’s ARC migration tool to convert an existing project that uses garbage collection. Xcode 4.2 could not convert a project to ARC if the project used garbage collection.
Developer Mode
When you build your first project in Xcode 4.3 an alert may open asking if you want to enter developer mode. Entering developer mode lets you do things like debug your project without Xcode asking you for your user account’s password.
Xcode 4 Print Book Now Available
I am happy to announce that the print version of Xcode Tools Sensei is available. Go to the book’s site to buy it. The print version of the book will also be available on Amazon soon. I submitted the book to Amazon last night and was told it would take 5-7 business days for it to appear on Amazon. This means the book should be on Amazon late next week or the week after that. I will add a link to the book’s Amazon page when the book is available on Amazon.
Xcode Book Updated for Xcode 4.2
The electronic version of Xcode Tools Sensei has been updated for Xcode 4.2. Go to the book’s site to buy it. You can also read the table of contents, introduction, and a sample chapter at the book’s site.
You may be wondering when the print version will be available. The release of the print book is weeks away. I have to layout the print book, create the index, and have a test copy shipped to me to make sure there are no glaring errors before I can release the print version.
Xcode 4 Book Available (Electronic Version)
I am happy to announce that a new electronic version of Xcode Tools Sensei is now available. Go to the book’s site to buy it. You can also read the table of contents, introduction, and a sample chapter at the book’s site.
The current version of the book covers Xcode 4.1. I will update the book for Xcode 4.2 when Apple releases it to the public. Anyone who buys the current electronic version of the book is eligible for a free update to the Xcode 4.2 version of the book when it becomes available. On the book’s order form is a checkbox to sign up for the book’s mailing list. If you sign up for the mailing list, you will be notified when the Xcode 4.2 version comes out.
Update: October 11
The store for the ebook was in test mode, which meant you couldn’t buy the book. The store is now active so you should be able to buy the book now. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Xcode 4 Book Should be Ready Next Week
I just finished laying out the last chapter. Now I have to proofread the book and get the website ready for the book launch.
Xcode 4 Book Status Report: September 19
I have started laying out chapters for the electronic version of the book, which is good news.
The first version of the ebook covers Xcode 4.1. I will update the ebook for Xcode 4.2, which will be a free update for anyone who buys the Xcode 4.1 version. The print version will cover Xcode 4.2. Xcode 4.2 should be released by the time the print version is finished.
Xcode 4 Book Status Report: September 6
I’m still cleaning up material. The Instruments material has been more difficult to clean up than I anticipated. I’m still working on cleaning up the material on the Time Profiler instrument and general material on interpreting the trace results.
Xcode 4 Book Status Report: August 22
I cleaned up the modeling tools chapter enough to move it to the almost ready to layout category. I proofread some sections of the Interface Builder and debugging chapters so they’re closer to being in the ready to layout category.
Right now I’m working on the Instruments chapter, which is the largest remaining obstacle to finishing the book. The Instruments chapter has the following main topics:
- Setting up a trace.
- Running a trace.
- General material on interpreting the trace results that applies to most instruments.
- Instrument-specific results for the Leaks, Allocations, Time Profiler, OpenGL ES Analyzer, and Activity Monitor instruments.
- Creating custom instruments.
Topics 1 and 2 are cleaned up. This week I’m going to be busy cleaning up the rest of the Instruments chapter.
Xcode 4 Book Status Report: August 15
Here’s how the cleanup of the material is coming along.
Ready to layout: projects, code editing, version control, command-line tools, and OpenGL tools chapters
Almost ready to layout: debugging and Interface Builder chapters
More cleanup to do: modeling tools, building projects, and Instruments chapters
Xcode 4 Book Status Report: June 13
I have moved from the writing to the rewriting phase. What this means I have the material written. Now I have to clean up the material I’ve written: improving explanations, eliminating redundancies, and proofreading. With several hundred pages of material to go through, cleaning up the material is going to take a while. I hope to start laying out the electronic version of the book in a few weeks.