From 50c4dde527cfc81a07e88ec2fb41ff61bf200d9f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jim Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2015 05:57:14 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] refine identification stuff --- ...ramming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn | 58 ++++++++++------------ 1 file changed, 26 insertions(+), 32 deletions(-) diff --git a/how_to_get_the_programming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn b/how_to_get_the_programming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn index 5f4c9f5d..8e65a541 100644 --- a/how_to_get_the_programming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn +++ b/how_to_get_the_programming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn @@ -1,6 +1,9 @@ ## Identifying your system ## We'll assume you're using either Mac OS X, or Windows, or Linux. +If you're running **iOS**, you'll have a much harder time (perhaps impossible, +perhaps not) getting this software to run on your machine, and we can't give +you any guidance. If you're using **Mac OS X**, take note of what version of the Mac OS you're running. (Under the Apple Menu, select "About this Mac".) @@ -12,12 +15,11 @@ running. (Under the Apple Menu, select "About this Mac".) * Mavericks (10.9) * Yosemite (10.10) -If you're running **iOS**, you probably can't use this software on that machine. (A bit more below.) - Furthermore, Mac users will be in one of two subgroups: * You'll have Apple's Xcode and the independent MacPorts system installed. (Probably you don't. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you don't have these.) + If you don't have these, but want to try this route, you can read about the MacPorts system at . This automates the building of Unix-type software on your Mac; it @@ -27,16 +29,14 @@ Furthermore, Mac users will be in one of two subgroups: There are also other package management systems available for the Mac, notably Homebrew and Fink. I only know a little bit about them. - Xcode is available at - . Some - versions of this have been available for free, though you do have to - register with Apple as an "Apple Developer", which involves accepting a - legal agreement with Apple. I have an older version of this installed. - If you download a recent version, email me and let me know how the - process works so I can tell others. There are instructions about how to - get Xcode in the MacPorts installation guide. + There are instructions about how to get Xcode on the [Installing MacPorts](https://www.macports.org/install.php) page. + Some versions of [Xcode](http://developer.apple.com/xcode.html) are available for free on the Mac App Store. + Other versions are available through Apple's Developer website (some of these are free, but do require you to + register with Apple as an "Apple Developer", which involves clicking to accept a legal agreement with Apple.) + I have an older version of this installed. If you download a recent version, email me and let me know how the + process works so I can tell others. @@ -50,8 +50,7 @@ Furthermore, Mac users will be in one of two subgroups: If you're using **Windows**, you'll be in one of two subgroups: -* You'll have the Cygwin system - installed. +* You'll have the Cygwin system installed. This puts a Unix-like layer on top of your Windows system, and makes it easier for you to use the same software everybody else will be using, without its needing as much special-for-Windows @@ -69,31 +68,26 @@ systems. * We'll give examples using the packaging system shared by Debian and Ubuntu, and we'll assume that those of you using different packaging systems will know - how to make the relevant substitutions. You may also want to take note of the - output of the "uname -srm" command. On my machine this tells me "Linux - 3.12.8-extrastuff x86\_64". That tells me I'm running the x86\_64 (as opposed to the - i686 or i386 or whatever) version of Linux, and that I'm running kernel - version 3.12.8. + how to make the relevant substitutions. -**For all of these groups**, a general item to take note of is what "processor architecture" your machine is running. Three of the possibilities are: +**For everyone**, a general item to take note of is what "processor architecture" your machine is running. Three of the possibilities are: * One of Intel's i386, i486, i586, i686 architectures. These are collectively known as "x86" or "IA-32" or sometimes just "32-bit". -* Intel or AMD's x86\_64 architecture. This is sometimes also called "x64" or "amd64" or "IA-64" or sometimes just "64-bit". +* Intel or AMD's x86\_64 architecture. This is also called "x64" or "amd64" or "IA-64" or sometimes just "64-bit". (Note that these *aren't* "x86" machines, even though "x86\_64" starts with those letters.) * ARM or some other architecture. These are generally lower-powered machines, like iPads. Some of the software we're proposing *might* in principle be capable of running on such machines, but installers don't seem to be available. We'll assume you have access to an x86 or x86\_64 machine. -In the Linux example above, I could tell my machine is running x86 because the -result of the `uname` command said "i386" at the end. Another machine I have -says "x86\_64" at the end. On a Mac, you can also say `uname -m` in a Terminal -session, and it will say something like "i386". I think that Mac OS Xs from Lion -/ 10.7 forward have all been x86\_64-only. On Windows, I don't know how to -collect this information. But generally, machines running Windows XP will -probably be i386/32-bit (unless it's a version of Windows with "64-bit" or -"x64" in its title); machines running Windows Vista or Windows 7 or Windows 8 -could be running either x86/32-bit or x64/64-bit. -(Update: I found -[this Microsoft page](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/32-bit-and-64-bit-windows) -that may help.) +On Linux or Mac OS X, you can open a terminal and type `uname -m`. If the +result is "x86\_64", then you've got x64/64-bit. If it's "i386" or something +like that, then you've got x86/32-bit. I think that Mac OS Xs from 10.7 / Lion +forward have all been x86\_64-only. + +On Windows, +[here is a page that can help you figure this out](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/32-bit-and-64-bit-windows). +I think that most machines running Windows XP will be x86/32-bit (unless it's +a version of Windows with "64-bit" or "x64" in its title); machines running +Windows Vista or Windows 7 or Windows 8 could be running either x86/32-bit or +x64/64-bit. ## PLEASE REPORT PROBLEMS (AND SOLUTIONS!) ## -- 2.11.0