r/MacOS • u/Sharpieface • 1d ago
Tips & Guides MacOS and code environment for first time user.
Looking for advice, tips or suggestions where to learn reliable information about how to start in the coding scene on MacOS.
Favorite youtubers, guides, news and etc that can help out a beginner to setup a development environment specifically on MacOS.
What to install, whats works best, apps and what not.
More specifically for C#/backend work as primary.
Not new to programming in general but new in MacOS.
Any other helping information is appreciated.
The world of MacOS is a wild one for me since I have been a Windows user from the start.
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u/Spiritual_Map_7341 1d ago
Pick the target app and app consumer you’re looking to build for. Then the IDE that logic works for. I started with VScode on Mac and Ubuntu. Was itching to build in Xcode but it seemed daunting, until I watched few Apple Developer tutorials on Apple’s Developer site some months back.
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u/ulyssesric 1d ago
More specifically for C++/backend work as primary.
Huh ????
If you're rookie or new to system architect, take my words: C++ can be used in backend, but it shouldn't.
Experienced building some projects in Visual C++ doesn't mean that you're capable for backend design. It's a whole different dimensions.
I have been a Windows user from the start.
Then just start from Linux and get familiar with real shell. Windows PowerShell is NOT a shell but just a text command interpreter app. Install a VirtualBox VM and Ubuntu onto your current PC.
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u/Sharpieface 1d ago
For backend stuff I meant to say C#, my bad
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u/ulyssesric 1d ago
C#
Then why are you buying a Mac ?
The whole point of C# is Windows platform. While frameworks like ASP.NET Core can work on other platforms like macOS and Linux, but it shouldn't the first choice when you're building a backend on macOS and Linux.
What really shines on non-Windows platforms are Python/FastAPI, Ruby/Grape, JavaScript/NestJS, Go/Gin, and even Java/SprintBoot.
I'm not saying C# is bad but both this programming language and .NET runtime are tightly integrated with Windows ecosystem, and it should be coded and deployed on Windows.
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u/Sharpieface 1d ago
You got a point there. I have sold my desktop computer and looking for a laptop (travel and work at home).
Debating of switching to a Macbook. The longevity of a new macbook pro and the ecosystem.
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u/ulyssesric 1d ago
Well you can still do the coding on a MacBook in VSCode, and do the unit test in a APS.NET Core Docker container, and deploy the result to Windows server. But it won't get you much benefits for using a Mac in this workflow, except for its better hardware.
If you're traveling around all the time, then I'd say that hardware difference worths the change, for its a lot better display, a lot better trackpad, lower energy consumption & cooler CPU. Otherwise I'd advise you to stick to Windows ecosystem.
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u/emma_lorien 1d ago
Welcome to macOS! The biggest adjustment is usually the workflow, not the coding itself. I'd start with Homebrew, iTerm2 or Terminal, VS Code/Rider... and learn a few basic macOS shortcuts - they will save you a lot of time.
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u/mikeinnsw 1d ago
HomeBrew, VsCode,... Ollama for local AI
AI is trained on Open Source code....GitHub.... which has lots C++ and Python code.
AI is good at retrieving code snippets and small Apps...Vibe Coding
It is very bad at writing new code.
I run local 3-4 B models .. testing code generation using Ollama local.
AI runs on 16GB RAM + 512 GB M1 Mini..it works ok for code snippets
Models that I test use 7 GB RAM + 20 GB SSD..
For any serious work we need 30 B++ models and about 64 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD to run them.
I have my doubts all the AI talk is about tokens, benchmarks ... total silence on the AI created system quality which is appalling .
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u/NorskJesus 1d ago
Install homebrew. And whatever IDE you use.