Building the project

[lyvaviv]

I am a little confused as to how to get the project to build into an IPA. When choosing "Any iOS device (arm64)" under the build section and try to run the scheme, it just tells me "a build only device cannot be used to run this target". I am quite confused, as running the project via a simulator works just fine. Assume I have close to zero experience with Xcode, I really just want the IPA, that's all (maybe consider putting up a releases section here GitHub as well).

[nturley3]

I'm getting back into this project after a few months of neglect. Let me check to see if everything is compiling correctly and Ill start updating some of the docs to show how to compile and load.

[lyvaviv]

Thank you that sounds great :)

[farthinder]

Hey @nturley3 !

Any progress here?
I'm considering buying an iPad just to play settlers IV on it and would love to use your project for it.

I'm also curious, can this be built and installed with out a payed Apple dev subscription?

Thanks!

[nturley3]

@farthinder Getting back to this project after awhile. Yes, I believe you can build with project with xcode with a free account, but I think it's only signed for 7 days. The paid developer account, you can deploy an app for up to a year if I recall.

I'm working on some documentation on how to build this and deploy to your iPad. Probably also provide an IPA you can deploy with AltStore.

With Apple's new changes allowing emulators on the app store, I'm expecting @litchiedev, the original developer to get iDOS on the app store. While my changes to nDOS contain a bunch of patches to iDOS, I don't want to compete with the original developer. Waiting to see what happens with the app store.

[farthinder]

Thanks for the update!
I read a comment somewhere that DOS/early windows would no longer be feasible on iOS due to JIT no longer being allowed by Apple.
I might be misunderstanding or misremembering, but what is your take on it?

[nturley3]

Unless I am misunderstanding, running older OS like DOS or Windows 3.1 on an iOS/iPadOS needs emulation, as these systems need to execute within a simulated environment that mimics the older hardware they were designed for. JIT compilation is not generally used in this context because we're dealing with entire operating systems rather than specific applications or processes that could benefit from runtime compilation.

The recent changes in the App Store in no longer restricting game emulators is what opens the door for apps like Delta and possible iDOS. What we don't know is if the App Store will allow apps like iDOS since they may not be considered "game emulators" as dosbox can run not just games, but apps and even OS. Here is a snippet from the Apple Developer Guidelines:

4.7 Mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators
Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games.