Never completely satisfied with other Xcode color themes based on the Twilight TextMate theme, and so, decided to create a better one.

Here’s a sample of what it looks like (using DejaVu Mono Sans of course):

It’s available for download. Hope you like it as much.

Filename: Code Driven Twilight.zip
Version: 1.0
Released: Aug 6th, 2010
File Size: 1.0kb

Download Now

Installation Instructions:

1. First install the DejaVu Mono Sans font (more info on this post).
2. Download the Code Driven Twilight Color Theme for Xcode. Then unzip and place into ~/Library/Application Support/Xcode/Color Themes
3. If this folder does not exist, simply create it.
4. Restart Xcode if it was open.
5. In Xcode’s “Fonts & Colors” Preferences (Figure 1), select the Code Driven Twilight color theme.
6. You’re all set… enjoy!

Figure 1: Xcode’s Fonts & Colors Preferences

Okay, so as we all know, the best font for coding is debatable. Every programmer has their preference. However, DejaVu Mono Sans is really THE best one. :)

Here’s a sample of this excellent coding font:

DejaVu Mono Sans looks great in all Mac editors, especially at 11pt. And it’s free!

Download it now, you will not be disappointed.

Learning to program Mac or iOS applications can be a bit overwhelming. On top of that, Xcode can be tricky and takes a little getting used to. But the following tweaks to Xcode’s preferences help tame Xcode and dial in an optimized user experience when it comes time to build (compile) projects. Beginners and advanced users alike can benefit from these settings.

Save Files Automatically When Building

The first recommended tweak is to set Xcode so it saves the project source files automatically when a project is built. Since Xcode requires source files to be saved before building anyway, setting this preference avoids the potentially annoying confirmation message (Figure 1) that pops up every time a project is built.

Figure 1: Potentially Annoying Confirmation Message

Instructions:

In Xcode’s Building Preferences (Figure 2), set the “For Unsaved Files” setting to “Always Save”.

Figure 2: Xcode’s Building Preferences

Show and Clear the Console When Building

The second tweak is to set Xcode so it shows and clears the console automatically when a project is built. Since the console is referenced so often during development, it makes sense to always show it when a project is built. And setting it to clear automatically will avoid seeing console messages from previous builds.

Instructions:

In Xcode’s Debugging Preferences (Figure 3), set the “On Start” setting to “Show Console”. And also make sure that the “Auto Clear Debug Console” setting is turned on (checked).

Figure 3: Xcode’s Debugging Preferences

You’re All Set!

Armed with these optimized preferences, Xcode is primed to build (compile) your killer applications. Have fun!

Today, Code Driven is releasing a Word of the Day (All-in-One) App for iPhone and iPod Touch.

This RSS reader application displays Word of the Day style RSS feeds from Merriam-Webster.com, Dictionary.com, Education.Yahoo.com, TheFreeDictionary.com, Wordsmith.org, UrbanDictionary.com, Braingle.com, Scrabble-Assoc.com and MedicineNet.com.

For more information or to download the app, simply visit the product page.

Code Driven and this Word of the Day application are not affiliated with nor endorsed by any of the supported RSS feeds nor the supported RSS feed’s owners.

The Word of the Day Widget has been updated with four new color themes: Peach, Mint, Velvet and Smoke. These color options come in very handy when displaying different word sources next to each other in the Dashboard.

For more information or to download the update, simply visit the product page.

Code Driven and this Word of the Day widget are not affiliated with nor endorsed by any of the supported RSS feeds nor the supported RSS feed’s owners.

In just two days from its initial release, the Word of the Day Widget has reached #8 on Apple’s Top 50 list!

The Word of the Day Widget was showcased as Apple’s Featured Download today, the same day it was released! To have a product featured this way is very exciting indeed. Thanks Apple!

Today, Code Driven released a Word of the Day Widget for Mac OS X Dashboard.

This widget displays the Word of the Day from Merriam-Webster.com, Dictionary.com, Education.Yahoo.com, TheFreeDictionary.com, Wordsmith.org, UrbanDictionary.com, Braingle.com, Scrabble-Assoc.com and MedicineNet.com.

Multiple copies of the widget can be displayed on the Dashboard to enjoy words from different sources simultaneously.

For more information or to download the widget, simply visit the product page.

Code Driven and this Word of the Day widget are not affiliated with nor endorsed by any of the supported RSS feeds nor the supported RSS feed’s owners.