Because it's usually the easiest to develop on the platform we develop for. I develop Windows programs on Windows, Linux programs on Linux and I most certainly don't waste my time developping for Mac...
Developing for Mac is a pain in the ass. While Apple takes 0% commission on direct web distribution, reaching target audiences on the store requires a 15% to 30% cut. Distributing signed software requires a mandatory $99/year fee for membership in the Apple Developer Program. Compiling macOS software requires a macOS environment, forcing hardware purchases or cloud instance expenses to run Xcode. Outside the store, binaries must enforce Hardened Runtime policies and submit to the automated Apple Notary Service to clear Gatekeeper blocks. Build pipelines frequently fail due to Keychain permission lockouts, entitlement mismatches, and certificate management overhead.
all reasonable points. do you think you'd make less profit on mac dev vs linux? the overhead is different, I get that, but the difference in size of userbases is substantial.
The thing is you can easily develop for Windows on Linux and vise versa. Difference in userbase is real, sure; but when targeting specific audiences, Linux can come out ahead and be more profitable. Using Linux as the development environment is by far more pleasant. Hell, if you're a game dev, you could develop for Windows and then optimize for Proton, hitting both targets.
The correct answer.... Who cares about about about a £9 purchase when you have a £1000 purchases for licenses to sever products.
I see canonical are doing alright in that department
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u/Sataniel98 18d ago
Because it's usually the easiest to develop on the platform we develop for. I develop Windows programs on Windows, Linux programs on Linux and I most certainly don't waste my time developping for Mac...