Does Xcode use C ++ 11?

 I am considering the use of some C++11 features (like auto for instance) in some cross-platform projects (Windows+Mac). On Windows, Visual Studio supports parts of the upcoming C++11 standard that would allow me to simplify parts of the code base so naturally I would be interested in starting to use these features.

But as far as I am aware, the current XCode version (3.2.4 + GCC 4.2) does not support any C++11 features at all. Can I upgrade the GCC version or the CLang version somehow? Or should I just bite my tongue and wait for Apple to package a new version sometime in the future?

c++xcodegccc++11clang

Share

Improve this question

edited Dec 19 '11 at 1:40

Xeo

124k4646 gold badges278278 silver badges381381 bronze badges

asked Jan 1 '11 at 13:52

villintehaspam

8,01066 gold badges3838 silver badges7575 bronze badges

• Look at the answers here and there. – F'x Jan 1 '11 at 13:57
• For a more positive outcome, look at: stackoverflow.com/questions/837992/update-gcc-on-osx – David Rodríguez - dribeas Jan 1 '11 at 16:24
• Regarding Clang: I believe it achieved reasonable C++03 support recently, but C++0x is still a far goal. For example, support of variadic template is work in progress and move semantics / rvalue references have not been implemented yet. – Matthieu M. Jan 4 '11 at 15:47
• Variadic templates work fine for me with clang. – Alexandre Hamez Jan 13 '12 at 10:23

Add a comment

4 Answers

ActiveOldestVotes

76

Xcode 4.2 had finally added support for C++0X:

1. In the project build settings screen, switch on "All" options.

2. In the "Build Options" section, set compiler to "Apple LLVM compiler 3.0".

3. Scroll down to "Apple LLVM Compiler 3.0 - Language" section and set "C++ Language Dialect" to "C++0X" and "C++ Standard Library" to "libc++".

The std::move(), move constructor and R-Value reference are known to work as expected, and I'm testing on the std::thread and std::atomic.

Share

Improve this answer

answered Oct 17 '11 at 9:40

RichardLiu

1,81211 gold badge1919 silver badges1717 bronze badges

• 2
  @ RichardLiu, what about the GNU++0X option for the C++ Language Dialect and the libstdc++ option for C++ Standard Library? When do they shall be used? – Tin Jan 22 '12 at 0:30
• I have had a look in /Developer/About\ Xcode.pdf and yes, it says that C++11 is supported, but when I use -std=gnu++0x it spits out cc1plus: error: unrecognized command line option "-std=0x++"! Should I use clang++ instead? – errordeveloper Mar 4 '12 at 22:50
• @errordeveloper, so far I had only successfully compiled C++11 WITHIN Xcode IDE. I don't know how to enable C++11 in command line or makefile. Sorry. – RichardLiu Mar 26 '12 at 7:41
• 1
  @RichardLiu: XCode normally uses clang++ when compiling, not g++, which is why C++11 support fails when trying to use g++ from the command line (because the ancient g++ XCode gives you doesn't support it). Just FYI. – Cornstalks Jan 9 '13 at 5:51

Add a comment

9

======= Update 2012: =======

Start with Clang - Many C++11 features are now available in Clang. It's included with Xcode.

======= Original answer from Jan 2011: =======

intel's compiler may be the cleanest way to go at this time. http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/intel-composer-xe/

clang's promising, but not particularly stable or featured wrt c++0x features. c++ is still very new for clang.

gcc: relatively mature, but you'll have to write and maintain your compiler plugins for xcode.

you can also specify custom scripts, but that is a pain to maintain... unless you go all out and create an adaptor tool.

Share

Improve this answer

edited Jul 6 '12 at 0:22

answered Jan 2 '11 at 0:08

justin

102k1313 gold badges172172 silver badges222222 bronze badges

Add a comment

1

Xcode uses the GCC or the Clang C++ compilers. Any features supported by those compilers are fair game. GCC's C++ compatibility page is here and the Clang C++ compatibility page is here.

Share

Improve this answer

answered Jan 1 '11 at 19:09

Barry Wark

105k2424 gold badges177177 silver badges204204 bronze badges

• 2
  True but GCC support stops at 4.2 which is starting to get a little long in the tooth – Mattia Nov 1 '11 at 1:15 

Add a comment

0

I've found auto, decltype(), range based "for (:)" work in a cross platform project (LLVM for MacOSX,iOS, gcc/linux, MSVC 10/windows).

lambdas & variadic macros don't appear to work under LLVM yet sadly.

Share

Improve this answer

answered Nov 27 '11 at 4:51

centaurian_slug

2,34111 gold badge1414 silver badges1515 bronze badges

• 1
  MSVC 10 and 11 don't support range-based for. Clang, on the other hand, does support variadic templates just fine. – Alex B Dec 27 '11 at 11:16