If I'm writing my own mods, does it matter if I use the Mac version?

[cjkr]

I am looking to purchase a copy of CIV4. I have an iMac. I know that many mods are not compatible with the Mac version of CIV4, but if I don't plan on using them and only plan on writing my own mods, is there any difference in the moddability of CIV4 between Windows and OS X Leopard?

I realize the SDK is not available, so that notwithstanding, in terms of python and xml, and everything else are they equal?

And another question, does Aspyre have any publicly stated plans to release a Mac version of the SDK?

Worst case I can buy it for Windows and run it in Bootcamp, however this annoys me since I already bought the game through Steam but if I load Bootcamp I have no desire to leave my machine connected to the Internet, so I would have to buy a fresh boxed copy.

Thoughts?

 

[Sto]

I realize the SDK is not available, so that notwithstanding, in terms of python and xml, and everything else are they equal?

The difference between MacOS and windows is that Mac use python 2.3 and windows python 2.4 (with civIV). So all you python works on MAC should be compatible with windows (the opposite is not true).

For the rest they should be equal, except if you add your own files (no python or xml format).

Worst case I can buy it for Windows and run it in Bootcamp, however this annoys me since I already bought the game through Steam but if I load Bootcamp I have no desire to leave my machine connected to the Internet, so I would have to buy a fresh boxed copy.

A friend got a recent mac with all hardware compatible with windows. So he install both windows and mac os. The windows civIV run like a charm with all mods. But you should ask this question in the MAC subforum and check there if they plan to update civ for mac.

Tcho !

 

[cjkr]

The difference between MacOS and windows is that Mac use python 2.3 and windows python 2.4 (with civIV). So all you python works on MAC should be compatible with windows (the opposite is not true).

For the rest they should be equal, except if you add your own files (no python or xml format).

Can't I just build the new version of Python for mac and load it onto my OSX?

Also I don't understand the second paragraph. They should be equal *except* if you add your own files (no python or xml format)??

After python and xml, what else is there?

Thx for your help. I'll ask in the Mac forum about the other issues.

 

[Sto]

Can't I just build the new version of Python for mac and load it onto my OSX?

Not sure i understand , you can work with python 2.3 and import python from "windows mod". The version of python used by civIV for mac is 2.3 but the python version used by civIV for windows is 2.4. But all the code is written in 2.3. The difference between 2.3 and 2.4 is optimization and new functions, so if you import some "windows python mod", there is a chance that this mod use 2.4 functions you will need to adapt. And all python work under mac is compatible with windows.

Also I don't understand the second paragraph. They should be equal *except* if you add your own files (no python or xml format)??

After python and xml, what else is there?

If you read a custom text file for an example ...

Tcho !

 

[cjkr]

Not sure i understand , you can work with python 2.3 and import python from "windows mod". The version of python used by civIV for mac is 2.3 but the python version used by civIV for windows is 2.4. But all the code is written in 2.3. The difference between 2.3 and 2.4 is optimization and new functions, so if you import some "windows python mod", there is a chance that this mod use 2.4 functions you will need to adapt. And all python work under mac is compatible with windows.



If you read a custom text file for an example ...

Tcho !

I guess I have a lot to learn. What is a custom text file? What would make it not work on the Mac with Python 2.3?

 

[Sto]

I guess I have a lot to learn. What is a custom text file ?

Forget that. All python and xml files will be OK. That's just if you want to add an external file you read with one of your function.

What would make it not work on the Mac with Python 2.3?

all you write with python 2.3 will work. But if you take a function in a MOD written with python 2.4 (windows), the modder may have used a 2.4 function like the module operator for an example. Even if these cases are rare, this is possible.