How to execute and compile a program in Xcode via command line in c and where's the executable?

Question

I'm trying to execute via command line a code written in C. I tried gcc -o file file.c, but it did not work. I need to learn how to compile and execute a code using gcc and llvm without graphical interface. Furthermore when I compile the program I cannot find the executable file in Finder (there's no Developer folder in Library).

Thanks in advance.

What does "it did not work" mean, exactly? Any errors or warnings? Was "file" produced in the current directory, or not? — Kurt Revis, Sep 16 '13 at 00:44
Did you [install the Xcode command-line tools](http://stackoverflow.com/a/9329325/1218876) yet? — Kurt Revis, Sep 16 '13 at 00:48
@KurtRevis It appears "no input files" (with gcc), however the file is in Desktop. Furthermore, when I try using "llvm -o file file.c", it appears "llvm : command not found". — user1286390, Sep 16 '13 at 01:42

vvlevchenko · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-06T03:30:55.117

2

You can use xcrun tool:

#/usr/bin/xcrun cc -o file file.c

Note: if you have several Xcode versions you can chose with xcode-select and your command above will use compiler and the rest of the tools from the selected SDK.

edited Jun 06 '14 at 03:30

answered Sep 17 '13 at 05:29

vvlevchenko

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score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 16 '13 at 12:34

If file.c is in the Desktop directory: Did you change to that directory beforehand?

Usually Terminal.app starts in the home directory, e.g.: /Users/yourname

To get to the Desktop directory:

cd ~/Desktop

Then check if the source file is there:

ls -l file.c

Then try again to compile:

gcc -o file file.c

Check for any error messages. If no output is given everything is fine and there should be an executable which can be (surprise!) executed:

ls -l file
 ./file

How to execute and compile a program in Xcode via command line in c and where's the executable?

2 Answers2