gone

I have researched the forums with this topic, however, the answers are too technical.

This is the problem I need help with, if possible:

these are my steps, I downloaded the SDK, both version, and here I am already stuck.

"Run from Terminal.app (Mac) [..] by cd'ing into the examples directory, and then running:

what does cd'ing to the examples directory mean?

I have added the SDK folder to Max's path.

I have set up a mac developer profile and installed Xcode 4.

Examples are not running, they fail to 'build', it looks like libraries are not recognised.

If you are kind enough to take some of your time to reply, please write plain English, when the language gets too technical, I do not understand.

I just want to know how to install SDK so that Xcode can run the examples.

I have researched the forums with this topic, however, the answers are too technical.
This is the problem I need help with, if possible:
I, as many, bought the Eric Lyon book.
these are my steps, I downloaded the SDK, both version, and here I am already stuck.
What do I do now?
I run the ruby line:
"Run from Terminal.app (Mac) [..] by cd'ing into the examples directory, and then running:

    ruby build.rb"
command not found
what does cd'ing to the examples directory mean?
I have added the SDK folder to Max's path.
I have set up a mac developer profile and installed Xcode 4.
Examples are not running, they fail to 'build', it looks like libraries are not recognised.

i don't think there is anything to install when you download the max sdk. I put it in my Music folder. When you unzip the SDK, i think it will be done. But i don't have Eric Lyon's book ; it seems to assume you have a minimum knowledge of using the Terminal... "cd'ing" is using the "cd" command in the Terminal, it's not complicated and basic, but maybe you should try a little (very little ! unnecessary to go too far in this) tutorial about using the OSX terminal. (something like this : 

http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/introduction-to-the-mac-os-x-command-line)

ANyway, in short : "cd" is a command in the terminal, that tells it which current directory (== cd) to work in. So you write "cd [a directory path in which you have something to do]". For instance in that case, and assuming your SDK directory is in the Music directory, you would write :

cd /Users/ransompaycheque/Music/MaxSDK/MaxSDK-6.1.3/examples

I have added the SDK folder to Max’s path.

actually, i'm not sure that it is a good idea. Max needs only to be aware of the built externals (the mxo files) which should all be built in the "sdk-built/externals" folder of the SDK package.

i can't say if this was necessary - probably better anyway, but irrelevant here :)

Examples are not running, they fail to ‘build’, it looks like libraries are not recognised.

how did you try to build them ? Which libraries are you talking about ? By what are they not recognised ?

so...
i don't think there is anything to install when you download the max sdk. I put it in my Music folder. When you unzip the SDK, i think it will be done. But i don't have Eric Lyon's book ; it seems to assume you have a minimum knowledge of using the Terminal... "cd'ing" is using the "cd" command in the Terminal, it's not complicated and basic, but maybe you should try a little (very little ! unnecessary to go too far in this) tutorial about using the OSX terminal. (something like this : http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/introduction-to-the-mac-os-x-command-line)
ANyway, in short : "cd" is a command in the terminal, that tells it which current directory (== cd) to work in. So you write "cd [a directory path in which you have something to do]". For instance in that case, and assuming your SDK directory is in the Music directory, you would write :cd /Users/ransompaycheque/Music/MaxSDK/MaxSDK-6.1.3/examples
and then you could type in ruby build.rb

BTW, before you start typing insanely long paths into the Terminal, you can drag-and-drop any Finder object into a Terminal window and--hey presto!--the full path is typed for you, with proper handling of spaces and all the special characters the MacOS UI allows (and that drive Un*x around the bend).

But, basically, XCode is an extremely complex (but powerful) tool, and it's been radically overhauled at every major release. You're going to need to spend some time learning the tool in order to figure out how to adapt Eric's instructions to the current state of the art. Sorry not to have better news.

I have since then looked into getting my sad around Terminal commands' basics.

I have had minor experience programming in Python so I assumed that I could have a go at C with the examples, not realising that I have to undertake a steep learning curve as for Xcode and terminal's functionalities first.

If I manage to compile any example successfully, I shall keep it posted.

I have since then looked into getting my sad around Terminal commands' basics.
I have had minor experience programming in Python so I assumed that I could have a go at C with the examples, not realising that I have to undertake a steep learning curve as for Xcode and terminal's functionalities first.

Also, I have managed to compile simple c scripts just with the terminal so I was wondering, is Xcode actually necessary?

please cd'ing : cd /Users/ransompaycheque/Music/MaxSDK/MaxSDK-6.1.3/examples

do you launch build.rb inside Visual Studio developer command ?

box options in ruby installation ? cl..., yes or no

do you launch build.rb inside Visual Studio developer command  ?