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Author Topic: Update Mac Install Wiki page  (Read 4343 times)

dbannon

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Update Mac Install Wiki page
« on: September 11, 2017, 06:19:18 am »
Hello Folks, as a new Mac owner (4 days ?) I read with interest Tan’s July comments about the Mac Install wiki page. And to some degree, I agree and propose to update
http://wiki.freepascal.org/Installing_Lazarus_on_MacOS_X if what I say does not shock people here too badly.

The problem, and its common on any wiki, is that people find it easier (and politer) to add new content rather than update existing content. The current page is dominated by old versions of Xcode, OSX and Lazarus and while possibly valuable material to a small number of people, most new users, and that's our customers, find it confusing, even worrying.

I have FPC, Lazarus and gdb working fine on my Mac, its not really hard, even for a complete Mac beginner. I think it would be useful to record what I have learnt.

I would like to apply a model I have found works well elsewhere,  move legacy content to a separate section towards the bottom of the page. Keep the first seen part of the page all about current versions of everything. That covers most potential users. At the same time I will consolidate the valuable information scattered across the forum so someone can see what steps are needed. I have drafted up that content, that draft starts like this -

Installing Lazarus on a Mac is not particularly difficult but is a bit of a tedious process. Its critical that you do the install in the correct  order.  Skipping steps will almost certainly lead to tears. In brief, here is what you do -

1. Download and install Xcode.
2. Install the global command line tools for Xcode.
3. Install gdb - sort of but not really optional.
4. Install Free Pascal Compiler.
5. Install FPC Source
6. Install Lazarus.
7. Speak to Lazarus about gdb.

The detailed instructions assume a current version of OSX on you Mac, current version of Xcode from Apple and current version of Lazarus. Further down the page, under Legacy Documentation, you will see older information that may be relevant if you are using older components.

... Detailed instructions ....


Well, what do you think ?  Have I offended anyone ?

David
Lazarus 3, Linux (and reluctantly Win10/11, OSX Monterey)
My Project - https://github.com/tomboy-notes/tomboy-ng and my github - https://github.com/davidbannon

Trenatos

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Re: Update Mac Install Wiki page
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2017, 05:09:16 am »
I would love up-to-date information on the Wiki.

If you have solid updates, I'm all for it.

I have FPC/Lazarus running nicely, but without GDB, can't get it to not crash all the time so I disabled it.

dbannon

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Re: Update Mac Install Wiki page
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2017, 03:39:55 pm »
OK, with a huge response like that, one vote, I must go ahead. http://forum.lazarus.freepascal.org/Smileys/ExcellentSmileys1/rolleyes.gif

Trenatos, I have just pasted my own notes onto the talk page, have a look and see if it helps your issue. You do have to self sign the gdb binary and give Lazarus some instructions about how to start up gdb.

I'll work on getting those install notes looking pretty as time permits and then use them near the top of the main page.

David
Lazarus 3, Linux (and reluctantly Win10/11, OSX Monterey)
My Project - https://github.com/tomboy-notes/tomboy-ng and my github - https://github.com/davidbannon

jwdietrich

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Re: Update Mac Install Wiki page
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2017, 03:56:44 pm »
I'll work on getting those install notes looking pretty as time permits and then use them near the top of the main page.

It would be great if you could revise this article in the Wiki. In the previous years I made some contributions there, but currently I am short of time, so that I am unable to make considerable changes (for the time being).
function GetRandomNumber: integer; // xkcd.com
begin
  GetRandomNumber := 4; // chosen by fair dice roll. Guaranteed to be random.
end;

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