Compiling Ethereum Sources on MAC OS in 2017: A Step-by-Step Guide

In 2017, many developers were eager to start working on their Ethereum projects, but faced challenges while compiling sources on MAC OS. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to compile Ethereum sources using the official Mac OS instructions.

The Problem

When you try to compile your Ethereum project sources using the official GitHub guides or any other online resources, you often encounter issues with:

• Missing Dependencies: Installation of required dependencies like node and npm may not be installed.

• Incorrect Compiler Flags: Incorrect flag options for the GCC compiler may prevent the compilation from being successful.

• Compilation Failures: The compilation may fail to complete due to various issues like syntax errors or missing header files.

The Solution

Fortunately, the official Ethereum GitHub repository provides a set of instructions that can help you compile your sources on MAC OS. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

To start compiling, you need to install the required dependencies for node and npm. Run the following command in your terminal:

npm init -y
nodepkg install node-npm@latest

This will install the latest versions of node and npm.

Step 2: Create a new directory

Create a new directory to store your project’s source files:

mkdir my-ethereum-project
cd my-ethereum-project

Step 3: Clone the Ethereum repository

Clone the official Ethereum repository to your new directory:

git clone 

Step 4: Navigate to the directory and initialize a new project

Navigate to the cloned repository directory and initialize a new project using npm init:

cd ethereum
npm init -y

This will create a new package.json file, which you will need for the subsequent steps.

Step 5: Configure your build script

Create a new file called build.gradle (for Android) or build.gradle.kts (for iOS) in the root of your project. Add the following configuration:

apply plugin: 'android'
apply plugin: 'kotlin-android'
android {
compileSdkVersion 29
defaultConfig {
applicationId "com.example.myethereum-project"
minSdkVersion 21
maxSdkVersion 29
targetSdkVersion 29
versionCode 1
versionName "My Ethereum Project"
}
}
buildTypes {
release {
minifyEnabled false
proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile("proguard-android.txt"), "proguard-rules.pro"
}
}

This configuration assumes you are using the Android Gradle plugin.

Step 6: Build your sources

Navigate back to your original directory and run the following command to build your sources:

./gradlew build

This will build your project sources and generate a build.gradle file in the root of your project.

Step 7: Generate source maps (optional)

If you are using Android, you will need to generate source maps to aid in debugging. Run the following command:

./gradlew debugReleaseBuild --no-clear-build

This will generate source maps for your application build.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should now be able to build your Ethereum sources on MAC OS using the official GitHub repository instructions. Remember to update your dependencies and configure your build script as needed for your specific project requirements.

Note: These instructions are for 2017 and may not work with newer versions of the Ethereum project. Always refer to the official documentation and release notes for any updates or changes to the project’s codebase.