Starting iPhone app development in Linux? [closed]

Question

I've heard that you need to get a Mac if you want to develop iPhone apps. Is this true?

Is it possible to develop iPhone apps using Linux? If yes, what do I need and where do I download the necessary tools?

Answer 1

The answer to this really depends on whether or not you want to develop apps that are then distributed through the iPhone store. If you don't, and don't mind developing for the "jailbroken" iPhone crowd - then it's possible to develop from Linux.

Check this chap's page for a comprehensive (if a little complex) guide on what to do :

http://www.saurik.com/id/4

Answer 2

To a certain extent, yes, it is possible. You can type Objective-C code and set up your projects. You can even test the C and C++ parts of your code with gcc.

What you cannot do:

• Use Interface Builder to set up your interface, as it's Mac-only. (Not required, but recommended.)
• Compile code that uses Apple's Cocoa classes - they don't exist on Linux.
• Test code in the Simulator - there isn't one for Linux.
• Compile code for real devices or for the App Store - all this requires tools that Apple only provides for OS X.

Answer 3

I would recommend getting a mac because the ios simulator is amazing for testing in the early stages of an app. But I do know of a small company we work with that develops using Unity so they don't need a load of macs. That way they only need one mac for the office and that's just to compile the final build. It also means it works on android but it really depends on what your building because it's a games engine. You may want to look into web apps using frameworks like Sencha Touch Mobile

Unity: http://unity3d.com/ Sencha Touch: http://www.sencha.com/products/touch/

Answer 4

The only way I know of doing development in Linux for the iPhone would be to install Vmware and work on getting OS X running in a virtual machine. With that said there are some "legal" concerns in doing that. It is reported that OS X Server can be virtualized but as far as the development story on that I don't know.

If you are truly serious, that's the what I'd investigate.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Regarding the alternative tool chain, Saurik's site is useful but for latest firmware development he indicates building on the iPhone itself and stays clear of indicating that you may need to copy necessary iPhone firmware files to your Linux environment. It's not impossible, but just requires additional work, especially for signing the code (there are open alternative solutions out there as well).

Also, take a look at other guides (for the same tool chain) that approach it more methodically.

I'd suggest to still do the final build and code signing and packaging in XCode (which may mean borrowing someone's Mac) in case you run into problems when submitting the application to Apple. Using the alternative tool chain opens up (at least on the Mac) the possibility of using other IDEs other than XCode for developing the application and again resorting to XCode for the deployment and testing with the simulator.

Of course if you do get the code signing / certificate generation working from the command line outside of XCode then you can install a certificate on your actual iPhone and test there (installing the app via iTunes w/your certificate).

Answer 6

If you value your time, buy a Mac! I don't know enough about Linux development options to offer a viable solution, but it seems the proposed methods involve some pretty roundabout work. If you plan on seriously writing and selling iPhone apps, I think you could easily recoup the cost of a Mac Mini or Macbook. :-)