How to: Write and compile C programs on Mac OS X

UPDATE: There is a new post about compiling C programs entirely within Xcode using Mac OS X 10.7+. Read it here.

During a programming class back in 2006, I had to find a way to write and compile C programs on my iBook G4. This was one of the ways I found to do that job.

Required:

  • Apple Developer Tools (available on OS X Install DVD)
  • A text editor (I use TextWrangler)

Steps:

  1. Install Apple Developer Tools on the Mac OS X Install DVD by inserting Disk 1 and choosing Developer Tools.
  2. Write a program with a text editor and save it with the extension .c
  3. Open Terminal by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal
  4. Type gcc with a space afterwards
  5. Drag the file with the .c extension to the Terminal window to place the location of the file.
  6. Press Enter.
  7. This will generate a file called a.out inside your user folder.

  8. Type ~/a.out
  9. Press Enter.
  10. Watch your program come alive!

[tags]programming, Mac OS X, Terminal[/tags]