Re:OS X Isn't for Developers
by zenocon on Thursday March 10, 2011 @07:20PM
(#2311448)
Honestly, every time I see one of these articles with even a hint at criticism towards Apple, I cringe slightly before I click the comments link...because I know what's coming next. Not that you care, but I'm also tired of Apple hi-jinks, T's & C's, and just general unfriendliness toward devs and I'll stick with Win7/Ubuntu from now on.
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| on HN ]
Right, because Windows comes with gcc?
Last I checked, Visual Studio was WAY more expensive than $5.
VS 2010 is free if you sign up for their webspark program http://microsoft.com/web/websitespark/ -- so is MS Windows Server 2008, SQL Server, etc. Look, I'm no MS proponent. I'm an independent developer and I use all platforms, all tools, all languages. If you fellas watch the news, this URL is kinda like the Fox News of Apple fan-boi-ism. Fair & Balanced...it is not...tiresome...bah, let the downvotes begin.
Check the fine print (http://www.microsoft.com/web/websitespark/support.aspx?tab=P...): It's only free for 3 developers per company. Arguably enough for personal use, but won't cover many organizations.
You can download application and device driver SDKs which come with command line C++ compilers at no charge. Pretty much the same compilers MS uses to build the OS itself and its own products.
There's also a no charge "express edition" of the IDE, but it was heavily crippled last time I checked.