While reading various C and C++ sources, I have encountered two macros __APPLE__
and __OSX__
. I found plenty of use of __OSX__
in various codes, especially those originating from *BSD
systems.
However, sometimes I find that testing __OSX__
only is not sufficient and I have to complete tests with __APPLE__
macro.
The Porting Command Line Unix Tools to Mac OS X guides specifies __APPLE__
and additionally __APPLE_CC__
but does not mention __OSX__
.
The Porting from GCC guide says:
- Use
#ifdef __GNUC__
to wrap any GCC-specific code.
- Use
#ifdef __APPLE_CC__
to wrap any Mac OS X-specific code.
Again, no mention about __OSX__
macro.
What macro is predefined on Mac OS X platform and XCode development environment that should be used to distinguish OSX-specific code in C/C++ programs?
Where is the __OSX__
macro defined? Is it *BSD
specific macro?
It all depends.
Each macro specifies something different in meaning.
See: https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/documentation/Porting/Conceptual/PortingUnix/compiling/compiling.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002850-SW13
__APPLE__
This macro is defined in any Apple computer.
__APPLE_CC__
This macro is set to an integer that represents the version number of
the compiler. This lets you distinguish, for example, between compilers
based on the same version of GCC, but with different bug fixes or features.
Larger values denote later compilers.
__OSX__
Presumabley the OS is a particular variant of OS X
So given the above definitions I would use __APPLE__
to distinguish apple specific code.
Here is a nice list of macros for operating systems.
There's little info on __OSX__
on the web. You'll be safe with __APPLE__
.
I normally use __MACH__
for this. It's been defined since the earliest version of OS X (and even before, presumably).
See http://nadeausoftware.com/articles/2012/01/c_c_tip_how_use_compiler_predefined_macros_detect_operating_system#OSXiOSandDarwin
#ifdef __APPLE__
#include <TargetConditionals.h>
#if TARGET_OS_MAC
...
#endif /* TARGET_OS_MAC */
#endif /* __APPLE__ */
Note that __OSX__
does NOT exist, at least as of Xcode 9.
Also note that it is #if TARGET_OS_MAC
not #ifdef
. It is always defined, but is 0 when not macOS.
Use
#if defined(__APPLE__) && defined(__MACH__)
to distinguish Apple MacOS (not iOS).
Regarding the "where does OSX come from":
Some on-line lists of compiler macros (like this one) list __MACOSX__
. Some forum comments (like these) claim __OSX__
exists. These are incorrect. There are no such macros predefined by OSX compilers, but they may be defined by specific project Makefiles and platform-detector scripts like GNU autoconf.
Source: http://nadeausoftware.com/articles/2012/01/c_c_tip_how_use_compiler_predefined_macros_detect_operating_system