package build vs Xcode build

Generated on 8/14/2024

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In the context of WWDC 2024, the discussion around package build versus Xcode build primarily revolves around the improvements in Xcode 16, particularly with the introduction of explicitly built modules.

Xcode 16 introduces explicit modules, which enhance the build process by improving parallelism, diagnostics, and debugging without requiring changes to the code. This is a shift from the previous method of implicitly built modules, where compilers managed module building without Xcode's direct involvement. Explicitly built modules make the build process more predictable and reliable by turning implicit steps into explicit build tasks, allowing for parallel execution and clearer build logs.

For Swift, you need to opt-in to use explicitly built modules, while for C and Objective-C, they are enabled by default. This change is part of a broader set of improvements in Xcode 16, which also includes enhancements to Swift package integration, allowing for more efficient build queuing without waiting for package resolution.

For more detailed insights, you can refer to the session Demystify explicitly built modules (03:57) and What’s new in Xcode 16 (06:26).

What’s new in Swift

What’s new in Swift

Join us for an update on Swift. We’ll briefly go through a history of Swift over the past decade, and show you how the community has grown through workgroups, expanded the package ecosystem, and increased platform support. We’ll introduce you to a new language mode that achieves data-race safety by default, and a language subset that lets you run Swift on highly constrained systems. We’ll also explore some language updates including noncopyable types, typed throws, and improved C++ interoperability.

Demystify explicitly built modules

Demystify explicitly built modules

Explore how builds are changing in Xcode 16 with explicitly built modules. Discover how modules are used to build your code, how explicitly built modules improve transparency in compilation tasks, and how you can optimize your build by sharing modules across targets.

Platforms State of the Union

Platforms State of the Union

Discover the newest advancements on Apple platforms.

What’s new in Xcode 16

What’s new in Xcode 16

Discover the latest productivity and performance improvements in Xcode 16. Learn about enhancements to code completion, diagnostics, and Xcode Previews. Find out more about updates in builds and explore improvements in debugging and Instruments.

Port advanced games to Apple platforms

Port advanced games to Apple platforms

Discover how simple it can be to reach players on Apple platforms worldwide. We’ll show you how to evaluate your Windows executable on Apple silicon, start your game port with code samples, convert your shader code to Metal, and bring your game to Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Explore enhanced Metal tools that understand HLSL shaders to validate, debug, and profile your ported shaders on Metal.