Dashcode
Encyclopedia
Dashcode is a software application created by Apple Inc. that is included with Mac OS X Leopard
and facilitates the development of widgets
for Dashboard. It was first included on new MacBook
s shipping around the time of May 24, 2006, as part of the Xcode
developer tools.
The most recent iteration of Dashcode, Version 3.0 (328), is included as part of Apple's Xcode
developer tools on the Mac OS X Snow Leopard DVD as an optional install.
mentioned Dashcode as a new feature to be included in Leopard during his 2006 WWDC
keynote speech. Although not installed by default as part of an Xcode installation, the DVDs handed out at the WWDC
did contain a version of Dashcode. Although the version number was in fact lower than that of the "MacBook build", the WWDC build of Dashcode contained several additional templates, as well as some interface and functionality improvements. This WWDC build launches on both Mac OS X v10.4
and the WWDC build of Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard"), but is unusable on 10.4 (crashes soon after startup).
.
It is not known if this will allow for the local installation of Dashcode-created web apps, as such an ability will allow the iOS to run a software layer akin to Mac OS X's Dashboard, which runs on a local installation. Currently, the iOS maintains a separation between native code and web code, in that way native applications can access data from the Internet, web content can't be accessed by native applications save for Safari; likewise, web content (including web apps) can be run inside the Safari browser, but cannot have access to the filesystem or other internals of the iOS and cannot be installed on the operating system in the same way as native code.
Native code software for the iOS is currently developed using the Xcode
suite, particularly an iPhone-centric version of Interface Builder
packaged with the iOS SDK.
Mac OS X v10.5
Mac OS X Leopard is the sixth major release of Mac OS X, Apple's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers. Leopard was released on 26 October 2007 as the successor of Tiger , and is available in two variants: a desktop version suitable for personal computers, and a...
and facilitates the development of widgets
Widget engine
In computer software, a widget engine is a software service available to users for running and displaying applets on a graphical user interface, such as that of the desktop.The widget model in widget engines is attractive because of ease of development...
for Dashboard. It was first included on new MacBook
MacBook
The MacBook was a brand of Macintosh notebook computers built by Apple Inc. First introduced in May 2006, it replaced the iBook and 12-inch PowerBook series of notebooks as a part of the Apple–Intel transition. Positioned as the low end of the MacBook family, the Apple MacBook was aimed at the...
s shipping around the time of May 24, 2006, as part of the Xcode
Xcode
Xcode is a suite of tools, developed by Apple, for developing software for Mac OS X and iOS. Xcode 4.2, the latest major version, is available on the Mac App Store for free for Mac OS X 10.7 , and on the Apple Developer Connection website for free to registered developers Xcode is a suite of tools,...
developer tools.
The most recent iteration of Dashcode, Version 3.0 (328), is included as part of Apple's Xcode
Xcode
Xcode is a suite of tools, developed by Apple, for developing software for Mac OS X and iOS. Xcode 4.2, the latest major version, is available on the Mac App Store for free for Mac OS X 10.7 , and on the Apple Developer Connection website for free to registered developers Xcode is a suite of tools,...
developer tools on the Mac OS X Snow Leopard DVD as an optional install.
WWDC
Steve JobsSteve Jobs
Steven Paul Jobs was an American businessman and inventor widely recognized as a charismatic pioneer of the personal computer revolution. He was co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple Inc...
mentioned Dashcode as a new feature to be included in Leopard during his 2006 WWDC
Worldwide Developers Conference
The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, commonly abbreviated WWDC, is a conference held annually in California by Apple Inc. The conference is primarily used by Apple to showcase its new software and technologies for developers, as well as offering hands-on labs and feedback sessions...
keynote speech. Although not installed by default as part of an Xcode installation, the DVDs handed out at the WWDC
Worldwide Developers Conference
The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, commonly abbreviated WWDC, is a conference held annually in California by Apple Inc. The conference is primarily used by Apple to showcase its new software and technologies for developers, as well as offering hands-on labs and feedback sessions...
did contain a version of Dashcode. Although the version number was in fact lower than that of the "MacBook build", the WWDC build of Dashcode contained several additional templates, as well as some interface and functionality improvements. This WWDC build launches on both Mac OS X v10.4
Mac OS X v10.4
Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger is the fifth major release of Mac OS X, Apple's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers. Tiger was released to the public on 29 April 2005 for US$129.95 as the successor to Mac OS X Panther , which had been released 18 months earlier...
and the WWDC build of Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard"), but is unusable on 10.4 (crashes soon after startup).
Public beta
On December 20, 2006, Apple released a public beta of Dashcode. When announcing this release, Apple stated the beta had been 'scaled back' for compatibility with Mac OS X v10.4. This beta expired on July 15, 2007.Dashcode and iOS
Dashcode Version 2.0 (151) is included as part of Apple's iOS SDK. This allows for the creation of Web apps for the iOS version of SafariSafari (web browser)
Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and included with the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems. First released as a public beta on January 7, 2003 on the company's Mac OS X operating system, it became Apple's default browser beginning with Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther". Safari is also the...
.
It is not known if this will allow for the local installation of Dashcode-created web apps, as such an ability will allow the iOS to run a software layer akin to Mac OS X's Dashboard, which runs on a local installation. Currently, the iOS maintains a separation between native code and web code, in that way native applications can access data from the Internet, web content can't be accessed by native applications save for Safari; likewise, web content (including web apps) can be run inside the Safari browser, but cannot have access to the filesystem or other internals of the iOS and cannot be installed on the operating system in the same way as native code.
Native code software for the iOS is currently developed using the Xcode
Xcode
Xcode is a suite of tools, developed by Apple, for developing software for Mac OS X and iOS. Xcode 4.2, the latest major version, is available on the Mac App Store for free for Mac OS X 10.7 , and on the Apple Developer Connection website for free to registered developers Xcode is a suite of tools,...
suite, particularly an iPhone-centric version of Interface Builder
Interface Builder
Interface Builder is a software development application for Apple's Mac OS X operating system. It is part of Xcode , the Apple Developer Connection developer's toolset. Interface Builder allows Cocoa and Carbon developers to create interfaces for applications using a graphical user...
packaged with the iOS SDK.
External links
- Dashcode public beta download from Apple
- Introducing Dashcode from Apple Developer Connection