Make a program for Mac on Windows?

[fiercedeity]

Hello,
I'm pretty new to the world of C++. I have read that the language is used to code both Mac and Windows software, but is it possible to make a program for a mac computer on a Windows operating system? I believe the program I am currently using to code (Dev-Cpp) only compiles the code into an .exe, which would not work on a Mac. I would like to create a program for a friend who has a Mac, while I only have a PC.

[TarikNeaj]

You can use google to find your answer, but the short answer is pretty much: Don't.

[TheIdeasMan]

Well you could use a cross compiling platform like Qt or others, which allows one code base but multiple targets like Mac, Linux etcetera.

I have heard that developing on Windows and targeting other OS is difficult, but I wonder if that is because they didn't use something like Qt - I am a Linux guy :+)

http://www.qt.io/

[fiercedeity]

Thanks for your optimism! I will look into it. I would love to hear alternatives as well, if anyone has one -- just in case.

[coder777]

It depends on the libraries you are using. SDL supports MAC:

http://www.libsdl.org/

Just take a look at their documentation.

And yes, you need a cross compiler like GCC.

[TheIdeasMan]

Also, start out simple : as in "Hello World"

Consider using clang++ from llvm as your compiler, it has the best compliance with the latest standards, and has nice error messages.

Qt optionally comes with it's own IDE - QtCreator: consider using that as well if doing the Qt thing :+) That is not strictly necessary though, Qt can be integrated with various IDE's.