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IBM Releases XL compilers for Mac OS X

Posted by pudge on from the faster-you-say dept.

Visigothe writes "IBM released their XL Fortran Compiler and XL C/C++ Compiler for OS X. The compiler is binary compatible with GCC 3.3, and has multiple levels of optimization, creating binaries that are much faster than their GCC-compiled counterparts." No prices are noted, and the planned availability date is January 16.

4 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. Supports Objective-C! by jazuki · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Very cool! Looks like the C/C++ compiler also has support for Objective-C now. Even if it's in the form of a "technology preview" and probably preliminary.

    This means that this could well be usable as a replacement for GCC in developing Cocoa-based apps. It's good to finally have some options. Can't wait to see how well it works!

  2. Current compiler? by Robowally · · Score: 2, Insightful

    What is MacOS X currently compiled with? Is it GCC? If so, the new IBM compiler would presumably speed up the entire OS somewhat if it were recompiled via IBM's compiler?

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    Karma? Sorry, i don't believe in superstition. http://talk.thinkingmatters.org.nz
  3. Re:Supports G4 and G5, but not G3 by LordAlexander · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Actually, the G3 is a 603-based CPU and the G4 is a 604-based CPU.

    It was rumored a while back that Apple might use IBM G3+Altivec chips in PowerBooks, further confusing the issue.

  4. Re:Supports G4 and G5, but not G3 by Visigothe · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The original "Fat Binaries" on the Mac were for 68k/PPC version, however, the idea of the FAT binary is not limited by CPU architecture.

    You could easily produce a "Fat Binary" that runs on G3/G4-G5/Alpha/68K/SPARC. That said, it would be one big binary before you stripped it =)

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