Rosetta (software): Difference between revisions
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{{dablink|For other software named Rosetta, see [[Rosetta (disambiguation)]].}} |
{{dablink|For other software named Rosetta, see [[Rosetta (disambiguation)]].}} |
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{{Infobox_Software | name = Rosetta |
{{Infobox_Software | name = Rosetta |
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| website = http://www.apple.com/rosetta |
| website = http://www.apple.com/rosetta |
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'''Rosetta''' is a lightweight [[binary translation|dynamic translator]] for [[Mac OS X]] distributed by [[Apple Computer|Apple]]. It enables applications compiled for the [[PowerPC]] family of processors to run on Apple systems that use [[Intel]] [[central processing unit|processor]]s. Rosetta is based on [[Transitive Corporation]]'s [[QuickTransit]] technology<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.com.com/The+brains+behind+Apples+Rosetta+Transitive/2100-1016_3-5736190.html | title=The brains behind Apple's Rosetta: Transitive | publisher=CNET News.com | accessdate=2007-07-04}}</ref>, and it is a key part of Apple's strategy for the [[Apple Intel transition|transition of their Macintosh line]] from PowerPC to Intel processors as it enables pre-existing Mac OS X software to run on the new platform without modification. The name is a reference to the [[Rosetta Stone]], whose discovery made it possible to comprehend and translate [[Egyptian hieroglyph]]s. |
'''Rosetta''' is a lightweight [[binary translation|dynamic translator]] for [[Mac OS X]] distributed by [[Apple Computer|Apple]]. It enables applications compiled for the [[PowerPC]] family of processors to run on Apple systems that use [[Intel]] [[central processing unit|processor]]s. Rosetta is based on [[Transitive Corporation]]'s [[QuickTransit]] technology<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.com.com/The+brains+behind+Apples+Rosetta+Transitive/2100-1016_3-5736190.html | title=The brains behind Apple's Rosetta: Transitive | publisher=CNET News.com | accessdate=2007-07-04}}</ref>, and it is a key part of Apple's strategy for the [[Apple Intel transition|transition of their Macintosh line]] from PowerPC to Intel processors as it enables pre-existing Mac OS X software to run on the new platform without modification. The name is generally thought to be a reference to the [[Rosetta Stone]], whose discovery made it possible to comprehend and translate [[Egyptian hieroglyph]]s. |
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== Features == |
== Features == |
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Rosetta is part of the Mac OS X for Intel operating system. It translates [[PowerPC G3|G3]], [[PowerPC G4|G4]] and [[AltiVec]] instructions; however, it does not translate [[PowerPC G5|G5]] instructions. Therefore such applications have to be modified by their developers to work on Intel-based Macintoshes. However, there are very few applications that strictly require the G5 processor, so compatibility with most applications is possible.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} |
Rosetta is part of the Mac OS X for Intel operating system. It translates [[PowerPC G3|G3]], [[PowerPC G4|G4]] and [[AltiVec]] instructions; however, it does not translate [[PowerPC G5|G5]] instructions. Therefore such applications have to be modified by their developers to work on Intel-based Macintoshes. However, there are very few applications that strictly require the G5 processor, so compatibility with most applications is possible.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} |
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According to Apple, applications with heavy user interaction but low computational needs (such as [[word processor]]s) are well suited to translation via Rosetta, while applications with high computational needs (such as [[raytracing|raytracers]] or [[Photoshop]]) are not |
According to Apple, applications with heavy user interaction but low computational needs (such as [[word processor]]s) are well suited to translation via Rosetta, while applications with high computational needs (such as [[raytracing|raytracers]] or [[Photoshop]]) are not<ref>{{cite web | url=http://developer.apple.com/documentation/MacOSX/Conceptual/universal_binary/universal_binary_exec_a/chapter_950_section_1.html | title=Rosetta | work=Universal Binary Programming Guidelines, Second Edition | publisher=Apple | accessdate=2007-07-04}}</ref>. Pre-existing PowerPC versions of Apple "Pro" media-production applications, such as (Final Cut, Motion, Aperture and Logic Pro, et al) are not supported by Rosetta, and require a [http://www.apple.com/universal/crossgrade/ "crossgrade"] to a [[universal binary]] version to work on Intel-based Macs. |
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Rosetta should not be mistaken for [[Boot Camp]], which is a software assistant that allows Mac users to [[dual-boot]] between Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. |
Rosetta should not be mistaken for [[Boot Camp]], which is a software assistant that allows Mac users to [[dual-boot]] between Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. |
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Revision as of 06:23, 5 July 2007
 PowerPC application running on OS X for Intel | |
| Developer(s) | Apple Computer |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Mac OS X |
| Type | PowerPC binary translation |
| Website | http://www.apple.com/rosetta |
Rosetta is a lightweight dynamic translator for Mac OS X distributed by Apple. It enables applications compiled for the PowerPC family of processors to run on Apple systems that use Intel processors. Rosetta is based on Transitive Corporation's QuickTransit technology[1], and it is a key part of Apple's strategy for the transition of their Macintosh line from PowerPC to Intel processors as it enables pre-existing Mac OS X software to run on the new platform without modification. The name is generally thought to be a reference to the Rosetta Stone, whose discovery made it possible to comprehend and translate Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Features
| Mac transition to Intel processors |
|---|
 |
Rosetta is part of the Mac OS X for Intel operating system. It translates G3, G4 and AltiVec instructions; however, it does not translate G5 instructions. Therefore such applications have to be modified by their developers to work on Intel-based Macintoshes. However, there are very few applications that strictly require the G5 processor, so compatibility with most applications is possible.[citation needed]
According to Apple, applications with heavy user interaction but low computational needs (such as word processors) are well suited to translation via Rosetta, while applications with high computational needs (such as raytracers or Photoshop) are not[2]. Pre-existing PowerPC versions of Apple "Pro" media-production applications, such as (Final Cut, Motion, Aperture and Logic Pro, et al) are not supported by Rosetta, and require a "crossgrade" to a universal binary version to work on Intel-based Macs.
Rosetta should not be mistaken for Boot Camp, which is a software assistant that allows Mac users to dual-boot between Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.
In general, Rosetta does not run the following[3]:
- Applications built for Mac OS 9 or below.
- Code that inserts preferences into the System Preferences pane.
- Applications that require a G5 processor.
- Screen savers
- Kernel extensions, and applications that depend on them.
- Bundled Java applications or Java applications with JNI libraries that can’t be translated.
- Java applets in Rosetta-translated applications. That means a PowerPC-only web browser application (such as Microsoft's legacy Internet Explorer for Mac) will not be able to load Java applets; an Intel-ready browser is needed (such as Safari, Camino, Firefox or Opera from version 9 and on).
- Other runtime-loaded binary libraries. Rosetta affects a program as a whole, not individual binary files on an if-needed basis.
See also
- Universal binary - combined x86/PPC applications that run natively on both processors.
- Fat binary - combined PPC/68k application that ran on older Macintoshes.
References
- ^ "The brains behind Apple's Rosetta: Transitive". CNET News.com. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
- ^ "Rosetta". Universal Binary Programming Guidelines, Second Edition. Apple. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
- ^ "What Can Be Translated?". Universal Binary Programming Guidelines, Second Edition. Apple. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
External links
- Apple Universal Binary Programming Guidelines
- Apple press release
- Transitive Corporation web site
- Apple's list of Universal Applications
- List of Universal Binary Applications at osx86project.org
- Rosetta compatibility index
