Apple releases Xcode 4.5 final for developers
updated 01:00 am EDT, Thu September 20, 2012
IDE now has Retina support, auto layout, more
Along with a slew of software updates for OS X and iOS, updates for supporting applications on both platforms and firmware updates for the latest models of MacBook, Apple has also taken Xcode 4.5 out of beta. The integrated development environment (IDE) for OS X Lion and Mountain Lion (10.7.x and 10.8.x) is free to registered Apple Developer Connection (ADC) members, and despite running on Intel Macs only can create programs that are both PowerPC and Intel compatible. The new version offers Auto Layout for both OS X and iOS, an OpenGL debugger and more.
Along with Xcode itself, the program comes with Interface Builder, AppleScript Studio and both Java and WebObjects development tools. The update includes SDKs for the latest versions of OS X 10.8 as well as the just-released iOS 6, some improvements in Objective-C, debugger watchpoints while a program is running on a connected iOS device and a new localization workflow.
Apple has been beta-testing Xcode 4.5 for months, and release a GM of it just a week ago. The OpenGL debugger for iOS can analyze a project while it is running and suggest improvements, and Objective-C now adds the @synthesize command by default when using properties. Similarly, it now adds literal syntax for numbers, arrays, dictionaries and expressions.
In addition to bug fixes and stability improvements, the program has also been updated for use on the MacBook Pro with Retina display. The program can be downloaded by through the Mac App Store.
