xcode command line app - where is the executable code?

Question

I'm writing a small command line tool/app in Xcode 6. After a steep learning curve (that I'm still climbing) I've got my code working in main.m without errors. My question is: does Xcode build some executable code that I can run from the command line inside a Terminal? I've tried "Build" and "Run & Build" but I don't see where any executable code is created. I'm very new at Xcode and need some help. I'm running OS X 10.9.5 and Xcode 6.1.1 on a Mac Mini.

If viewing my code would be useful, let me know and I'll put it up.

Thanks for any assistance.

Kevin H.

Answer 1

It's hidden very well. In Xcode 6, when you build an app, there is a folder "Products" in the project navigator (left pane). The name of your project will be there too. Right click, and select "show in finder". It will show you an obscure folder hidden deep in your OS X Library where the executable is located.

Answer 2

To copy the executable to a more convenient location each time you compile go into the project settings and select the Build Phase.

Type in a absolute location such as: ~/Documents/dev/temp. (It does recognize ~ as the current users home directory)

Then Press the '+' Button Under the 'Copy Files' Section and Select Your File (Select Your executable under the Products Folder)

Deselect the 'Copy only when installing' button. Then build and it should be at that location.

To launch just open the terminal app and go to that location. The executable should run unless there are dynamic libraries it calls that are not in the lib path.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

The binary is in a folder under /Users/Username/Library. Something like:

/Users/<Username>/Library//Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/.../Build/Products/Debug/<ProjectName>

You can easily find it with this command:

find /Users/<Username>/Library/ -name "<ProjectName>"

replace "Username" and "ProjectName" accordingly to reflect your environment.