Cross compilation from OS X to Windows

mzimmers

...not sure which flavor of Windows yet, but for the purposes of this question, it probably doesn't matter.

I'm trying to learn how to do this. I've looked through this page:

"Cross-platform etc.":http://doc.qt.nokia.com/4.7/developing-with-qt.html

and I haven't found anything that tells me how to actually do this. Can someone point me to an appropriate document?

Thank you.

goetz

Cross-Platform in the context of the mentioned web page means that the source code is compatible with all platforms and can be compiled everywhere without changes.

Cross-Compiling is a different beast, it means to create object code or executables for one platform with all the tools installed on another platform. If you can so, I'd recommend avoiding this. It causes all sort of subtle problems regarding library paths and so on.

A good alternative is installing a development environment in a virtual machine (you can install Windows on a VM on OS X without problems). This is what I regularly do.

mzimmers

OK, I can do that. I just tried installing an old copy of Virtual PC, and discovered it doesn't run on Intel-based Macs. So, what's the hot, modern way of getting Windows running on my Mac?

goetz

You can use VMWare Fusion from http://www.vmware.com or Parallels Desktop from http://www.parallels.com

Which one you use is mostly a matter of taste. I personally went the VMWare way. I have the impression that there are slightly more VM ware images out there (test appliances for example) than for parallels.

loopole

also,
"http://www.virtualbox.org/":http://www.virtualbox.org/
free alternative, from Oracle.

mzimmers

That VirtualBox is an interesting app. How do you go about installing Windows into it, though? I have a copy of XP Pro that I could use with it. When I start the session, I get a black screen with "FATAL: No bootable medium found! System halted." message.

loopole

If I remember right, you have to set your CD on the virtual machine before booting... something like that.... but it sure is possible as it is meant for this.

mzimmers

Thanks for the reply. It turned out that one must have CD/DVD sharing enabled for VirtualBox to allow you to install. If sharing is disabled, it gives a very subtle error message, followed by futility.

giesbert

Cross compilation from OS X to Windows

Create the virtual machine

right click --> properties (or similar, I have a german one :-) )

Hard disk --> IDE controller

select empty slot and then CD/DVD drive --> host

you could activate Passthrough or leave the check box out...