Do I need xcode? Isn’t it just an IDE like Eclipse or Notepad++? I’m kinda confused as to how I need it. Also I’ve been reading that people can’t get Lua syntax to work with xcode 4?
Yes you need XCode. While XCode is an IDE, it’s a lot more. Its a C compiler (used to build binary executable programs), it’s all the tools needed to build apps from beginning to end. Corona SDK uses some of the utility functions of XCode. XCode’s “Organizer” is IMHO the best way to load apps to your device for testing. It includes the offical Simulator, so you can build your Corona apps and the native things you can’t test in Corona’s Simulator (like ads, game center, etc) you can test in the XCode simulator. Besides wanting to have it, you must have it or Corona can’t build deliverable binaries.
As for syntax, prior to 4.x there was some Lua syntax highlighting for XCode but that broke and I’ve not heard of anyone getting it working again. Most of us do not use XCode for our text editor.
Also this mac is running Lion and I have a used iPod touch coming my way, the 4th generation model, which runs on iOS 5.
Apple is pushing us towards Lion and the upcoming Mountain Lion if we want to develop iOS 5.1 apps, so its good it has Lion.
Using these two devices, will I be able to release the game for older iPhones that use the 3.x iOS version? Or is it only going to be available for iOS 5.x and above?
That is a tricky question to answer. Ansca has dropped support for iSO 4.2 and earlier. Apple is forcing this decision too. So unless you have access to Corona SDK Build 726 (I think) or earlier, you won’t be able to build for anything but iOS 4.3 or later. This kills a couple of iPod models and the original iPhone and iPhone3. The 3GS is modern enough to survive.
If you want to build for pre-4.3, you will also need an older version of XCode and if you do, you will not be able to develop for iOS 5.1 and later.
But with those two devices you should be able to build and test for 4.3 and above.
Also after doing some research I found about TextWrangler as being the best alternative to Notepad++ which I loved. Anything better for free? Something that has themes to change the colors, I’m prone to getting migraines and the white backgrounds just makes it worse.
There are several alternatives to TextWranger. Consider Komodo Edit. It’s free. There are several threads on here that have links to several alternatives, some paid, some shareware, others totally free. [import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 23914 reply_id: 96361[/import]
