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How do you run/install SPIN on a MAC — Parallax Forums

How do you run/install SPIN on a MAC

DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
edited 2013-05-10 23:03 in Propeller 1
Hi,

What's the best way ( or any way) to run the Propellor spin application on a MAC (I have 10.6.8, IMAC 27" )

I dont want to use BRADS BST app as this has stopped being developed, but mainly, I Cannot work with the GRAPHICAL INDENTATION LINES that SPIN has and BST does not have)

Q1) Do I use Fusion or Parallels? ( or something else?)

Q2) Do I need to install windows ( if so which one?)

Q3) Can I keep all the files I create ( via spin tool) in my MAC documents or do they need to be kept in the window directory.

Q4) If I have to install windows, then I don't want to run anything ( especially internet based apps) from this, only the PROPELLER SPIN TOOL.

Q5) Has anyone created a tutorial on doing this?

The reason I want to do this, is my really, really old PC is playing up ( it has XP on it ) and I only use this PC for SPIN, and its taking a up space in my office. Currently if I need to do any SPIN programming I have to dig out my PC, set it up on the edge of my desk ( it still uses a CRT 14" monitor!), so with this cumbersome set up, I haven't done any spin programming for ages, I would really like to get back into this.

Also, I have tried to search this forum and its to hard to find anything, there really should be something in the FAQ's.

Thanks

Dave M

Comments

  • dgatelydgately Posts: 1,630
    edited 2013-05-10 18:33
    Great timing...

    What's the best way ( or any way) to run the Propellor spin application on a MAC (I have 10.6.8, IMAC 27" )

    I dont want to use BRADS BST app as this has stopped being developed, but mainly, I Cannot work with the GRAPHICAL INDENTATION LINES that SPIN has and BST does not have)

    Q1) Do I use Fusion or Parallels? ( or something else?)
    No need to!

    Q2) Do I need to install windows ( if so which one?)
    No need to!

    Q3) Can I keep all the files I create ( via spin tool) in my MAC documents or do they need to be kept in the window directory.
    No need to!

    Q4) If I have to install windows, then I don't want to run anything ( especially internet based apps) from this, only the PROPELLER SPIN TOOL.
    No need to install Windows!

    Q5) Has anyone created a tutorial on doing this?
    There is lots of info on this, but a real boost in info lately as SimpleIDE is in Beta and includes Spin and C language support on Windows and Mac OS X. Are you able to update to at least Lion (10.7)? That may be necessary...


    Start by going to this webpage, though it talks mostly of developing propeller code in C, it will lead you to SimpleIDE, which will build Spin or C code!
    http://learn.parallax.com/propeller-c-tutorials

    If you still have questions, please ask!

    dgately
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2013-05-10 18:42
    DavidM wrote: »
    but mainly, I Cannot work with the GRAPHICAL INDENTATION LINES that SPIN has and BST does not have)

    Easy! Go to "Preferences" and uncheck "Show Block Group Indicators".
    Currently if I need to do any SPIN programming I have to dig out my PC, set it up on the edge of my desk ( it still uses a CRT 14" monitor!), so with this cumbersome set up, I haven't done any spin programming for ages, I would really like to get back into this.

    You can get an LCD monitor pretty cheaply...
    Also, I have tried to search this forum and its to hard to find anything...

    Try the search link in my sig. It works pretty well.
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2013-05-10 18:52
    W9GFO wrote: »
    Easy! Go to "Preferences" and uncheck "Show Block Group Indicators".

    HuH?

    There is no such option, I have mac OSX version 0.19.3


    Please explain!

    Thanks dave M
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2013-05-10 18:55
    I will have a look, but so far it looks like this is a tool for programming in C only, is this correct?

    Thanks
    Dave M
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2013-05-10 19:00
    DavidM wrote: »
    There is no such option, I have mac OSX version 0.19.3

    Those were instructions for disabling the graphical indentation lines in the Spin Tool that you said you could not stand.
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2013-05-10 19:09
    I think I explained this wrong in my question,

    I don't like BRADS BST tool as it DOES NOT HAVE the graphical indentation lines ( as the parallax tool does ),

    dave M
  • dgatelydgately Posts: 1,630
    edited 2013-05-10 20:22
    DavidM wrote: »
    I will have a look, but so far it looks like this is a tool for programming in C only, is this correct?

    Thanks
    Dave M

    As I stated, SimpleIDE works with C as well as Spin code... This Beta release focuses primarily on C, but SimpleIDE in earlier versions supported just Spin programming for months. SimpleIDE 0-9-nn releases still support Spin coding.

    Here's an example Spin Project and the Properties dialog (in this example the open spin compiler is being used, though bcstc is the default):
    SpinCodeProject.jpg



    Warning: Now that you've detailed your need for graphical indention lines, you may not like SimpleIDE's editor. The old Propeller tool can be run in Windows under VMWare or Parallels apps on Mac OS X, but you'll need to purchase VMWare or Parallels as well as an installable copy of Windows (XP, 7 or 8)...

    Good luck!



    dgately
    SpinCodeProject.jpg
    1024 x 640 - 80K
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2013-05-10 20:38
    HI dgately,

    Yes, I can't work without those indentation lines, so I guess i need VMFUSION or PARALLELS so i can run windows,

    I have just seen a review on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkWlmWLOzXU, and it seems that PARALLELS came out better, but now which version of windows should I use,

    Windows 8 looks like a bunch of childish Smile, so would windows 7 be the best option?

    thanks Dave M
  • dgatelydgately Posts: 1,630
    edited 2013-05-10 20:46
    DavidM wrote: »
    Windows 8 looks like a bunch of childish Smile, so would windows 7 be the best option?

    I use Windows 7 in VM Ware Fusion and it works fairly well. Of course, I'm on a recently produced MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM and a very fast SSD drive. I run Mountain Lion 10.8.3 and VM Ware and Parallels have been updated to work well with that OS version. I was using Windows XP up to recently and it worked fine, as well.

    While you work with Propeller Tool, try out SimpleIDE as well. You may find a willingness to move over as it will become a primary base for Propeller development in the future. You can always propose enhancements like graphical indentation to these forums or to SimpleIDE's issue reporting page at: https://code.google.com/p/propside/issues/list


    dgately
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2013-05-10 20:59
    HI,

    Been trying to see where I can purchase a copy of winodws 7, and boy, why are there a gazillion versions! and a full version costs ****loads, I would rather spend $400 buying a MAC version of SPIN!!!!

    anyhow, I need to get started on SPIN running on my mac with a minimum of fuss, I have no time for learning a new IDE, ( i.e SimpleIDE) , Its hard enough just working with my own code, some of my projects have 1000's of lines of code.

    Are you saying that SIMPLE IDE will be the new CROSS PLATFORM STANDARD, even to replace any version form PARALLAX?

    thanks dave M
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2013-05-10 21:20
    far out!

    how the hell do you buy windows??

    windows 7 = $278 for full version!!

    can't by XP, but windows 8 is about $118 i think, not sure if its upgrade version or not, will spin run on windows 8?

    Thanks

    Dave M
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2013-05-10 21:23
    DavidM,

    Many of us in Parallax are using VMFusion to run the Propeller Tool. Works well for all of us, so I recommend it.

    Ken Gracey
  • kuronekokuroneko Posts: 3,623
    edited 2013-05-10 21:23
    DavidM wrote: »
    ... will spin run on windows 8?
    Yes, works out of the box here.
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2013-05-10 21:34
    DavidM wrote: »
    far out!

    how the hell do you buy windows??

    windows 7 = $278 for full version!!

    More like $90. http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2013-05-10 21:49
    Hi All,

    Us Aussies for some reason have to pay a lot more than what the rest of the world pays for computers and software, don't know why this is!

    I just found out that you CAN'T BUY widows any version as a full version, it only comes with a PC Purchase, then you can upgrade, But I just rang a local store that BUILDs PC's and they can sell a full version of windows 8 for 108 bucks, So I think the VMCONFUSION & WINDOWS * is the way to go.

    I also just found out my friend has a copy of VMCONFUSION 4, So will that be enough?

    remember all i need to do is to run PROP TOOL !

    having said all this, what about using "WINE" or "CROSSOVER"?


    Thanks

    Dave M
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2013-05-10 22:13
    While not a solution for you right now, our future tool path progression includes a SimpleIDE for Spin that'll run on your choice of operating systems, just like SimpleIDE for C/C++..
    Tools-languages.001.jpg
    Tools-languages.001.jpg
    1024 x 768 - 706K
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2013-05-10 22:52
    Hi Ken,

    I was not aware of this roadmap, seems like the way to go..


    So when does a version of this come out that allows me to use all the features of the current PC version of PROP TOOL to run natively on the mac?

    reason i ask is that I am about to spend money on windows & fusion that I amy not need to.

    Q1) Will this have the indentations lines like the prop tool has?
    Q2) Will this have all the colouring of fonts and backgrounds that the current prop tool has?
    Q3) Will with have Conditional compiling, So I can enter in unique parameters/serial no's etc for each build/firmware upgrade of my propeller products
    Q4) Will there be a standalone "boot-loader" for all platforms so my customers can upgrade their firmware with ease?

    Thanks

    Dave M
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2013-05-10 22:56
    Ken,

    It is not "Nokia Qt" anymore. Since August 2012 Qt has belonged to Digia. See the contorted Qt history here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_%28framework%29
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2013-05-10 23:03
    One more question about the new IDE,

    Q1) Will it have complete DOT NOTATION & AUTOCOMPLETE features?

    eg

    if I have an object called RS485.spin, and include this in my project
    can I then access all its functions and parameters like this

    MyVariable = RS485.Read
    RS485.Send (MyVariable)

    I would like it so that when ever i type the full stop after a object name, and say press TAB, then all the functions/parameters that can be accessed will list up and then I can auto complete from that.

    Realbasic works this way and makes life easier and also helps with learning.

    etc

    thanks Dave M
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