package build vs Xcode build
Asked on 08/14/2024
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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
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
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
Discover the newest advancements on Apple platforms.