How do I build on macOS with Clang/Xcode?

Building applications on macOS using Clang and Xcode is a straightforward process. Whether you're developing a command-line tool or a GUI application, this guide outlines the steps necessary for setting up your development environment and compiling your code.

Setting Up Clang on macOS

macOS comes with Clang pre-installed as part of the Xcode Command Line Tools. You can check if Clang is installed by running the following command in your terminal:

clang --version

Installing Xcode and Command Line Tools

To install Xcode, you can download it from the Mac App Store. After installing Xcode, you also need to install the Command Line Tools which can be done by running:

xcode-select --install

Compiling C++ Code

To compile a C++ file using Clang, navigate to the directory containing the file in your terminal, then run the following command:

clang++ -o my_program my_program.cpp

Running Your Program

After compiling, you can run your program using:

./my_program

C++ Clang Xcode macOS development build tools programming