1 Topic by designer (edited by designer 2024-09-21 04:36:40)

Topic: Installing Minimum XCode tools

I asked about this a long time ago but figured this Topic Subject would be easier to find.

One of my MacMini's has only 128GB storage (a crime they sell it in that configuration, but that's another topic). When there's an update for XCode, I can't load it because I have ONLY 12GB free.

From what I recall, SimplyFortran required "XCode Tools" but not the full XCode install.

A step-by-step to install just what is needed for SimplyFortran would be helpful. That's a request, please.

Eventually, if the internal drive is replaceable, I'll either upgrade that Mini to 256GB or 512GB, or, more likely, Just wait to invest in an M4 model. The M2 is fine and fast. I keep the (Intel) 128GB mini around as a backup.

  • jeff
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Re: Installing Minimum XCode tools

Simply Fortran only needs Apple's "Command-Line Developer Tools" to run, which basically provide a few utilities and the development SDK (needed to actually link against system libraries).  If you've never installed them before, this command should be run in a Terminal:

xcode-select --install

Updating the command-line tools is handled through settings.  If you already have the tools installed, you would see the message:

jeff@Mini ~ % xcode-select --install
xcode-select: note: Command line tools are already installed. Use "Software Update" in System Settings or the softwareupdate command line interface to install updates

Your updates should just be handled via the usual OS software updates.

If you've installed full Xcode already, things become a bit more complicated.  If you can't update Xcode, you can try uninstalling it entirely and then running the command above to install just the necessities.

From anecdotal experience, I've found that it is somewhat common for macOS to get a little "out of whack" in regards to command-line tools.  Uninstalling Xcode by dragging it to the trash seems to fix things, but you might want to check on some macOS specific sites on how exactly to handle that issue.

Jeff Armstrong
Approximatrix, LLC

3 Reply by designer (edited by designer 2024-09-28 17:32:46)

Re: Installing Minimum XCode tools

Jeff,
Thank you for your reply and suggestions. I was a day ahead of you. I did drag XCode to the trash, emptied, and restarted my Mac. I had Googled about installing only the tools and was shown the xcode-select --install using the terminal app.

Just dragging XCode to the trash did not remove the "tools" as the command line said they were already installed.

Then I rebuilt and ran a simple "Hello World" and SimplyFortran was happy with that.

I'll keep the XCode App itself off that anemic 128GB MacMini from now on.