Summerize the linker changes in Xcode 16
Generated on 9/10/2024
1 search
In Xcode 16, several significant changes have been made to the linker and build process, particularly with the introduction of explicitly built modules. Here are the key updates:
-
Explicitly Built Modules: Xcode 16 introduces explicitly built modules, which improve build efficiency and debugging. This feature allows the build system to be fully aware of the module graph, enabling more informed scheduling choices and reducing build times. Explicit modules are used by default for C and Objective-C, and can be enabled for Swift.
-
Improved Debugging: With explicitly built modules, the debugger can reuse already built modules, avoiding the need to rebuild them when debugging. This results in faster debugging sessions as the debugger shares binary modules with the build.
-
Parallel Module Builds: The introduction of explicitly built modules allows for parallel module builds, leading to more predictable and reliable builds. This change turns implicit module build steps into explicit tasks, which are clearly visible in the build log.
-
Dwarf 5 Debug Symbol Format: Xcode 16 uses the Dwarf 5 debug symbol format by default when building against macOS Sequoia or iOS 18. This results in smaller DSIM bundles and faster symbol lookups.
For more detailed information on explicitly built modules, you can refer to the session Demystify explicitly built modules.
Platforms State of the Union
Discover the newest advancements on Apple platforms.
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.
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.
Platforms State of the Union 5-Minute Recap
Watch a quick recap of the newest advancements on Apple platforms.
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.