For example, if you write code in C++, you will need to compile that code so that the application can be run as an executable file. The Xcode tools are needed to compile the source code you create. You may have been instructed to install Xcode and are unsure why you need it. We have not installed this part of Xcode since we are working in Mac Terminal using the command line and don’t need it. This includes a desktop application that lets you edit, compile and test your code. With this, you can write code using an editor such as vim, nano, or another command line editor you have available.Īnother part of Xcode is the Xcode IDE or integrated Development Environment. This is all you need to develop from the command line in Mac Terminal or another Terminal application on your Mac.

What I have shown above installs the core Xcode tools. Xcode supports multiple languages such as C++, C, Objective-C++, Objective-C, Java, Swift, Python, Ruby, and more. Xcode is a set of tools, compilers, and libraries that you can use to develop software for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

You should now be ready to create and develop software from the command line using Mac Terminal.

Install xcode command line tools