Hi Brandon, The reason is because the RS Games client was written in Python. Python is a runtime language, that is it requires a third-party runtime environment, and a Python program in theory will run on any computer where there is a compatible Python runtime environment and modules. So, for example, if I write and compile a Python 2.6 program on Linux I can redistribute the compiled pyc files to any Mac or Windows users and have them run the program provided they have Python 2.6 installed on their Windows or Mac machine. That is why Python is a build once run anywhere type language. Now, if the game were written in C or C++ then you would have to have a Linux, Mac, and Windows machine to compile it on each platform. The reason is because C/C++ is a native language and is compiled directly to a native executable that doesn't require some third party runtime environment. If you cut out that middle man, the runtime environment, that means you have to take some extra steps in order to produce a true Mac, Linux, or Windows program using C or C++. The Up side to using a native language like C/C++ is you have more direct access to the operating system, it performs better, but you loose cross-platform portability in a lot of cases. The upside to using Python is that you have that cross-platform design from the start, but lose some performance on account of using a runtime environment. Plus if there isn't a package that gives you access to some specific native API for Python you end up having to write your own wrappers to support that native API. So as you can see there are pros and cons to each type of programming approach.
Cheers! On 9/16/10, Brandon Misch <bmisch2...@gmail.com> wrote: > if you guys didn't have a mac, then how did you make the mac version of the > client? --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
