Setting up an M1 Mac for Python, Scala, and Java Development — 2021 Edition
A few days ago, I unwrapped my shiny new MacBook Pro with an M1 (arm, aka arm64, aka aarch64) chip. This post captures the apps and configuration I use for development as well as a few notes for dealing with the change in architectures from the usual Intel x86 chips to the Apple’s ARM-based M1s.
For development, I primarily write Java and Scala code. Like most developers, I also use a variety of other languages to support my work. In my case, that would be Python, Matlab, C, C++, JavaScript, and SQL.
Essentials
iTerm2
I’ve tried a variety of replacements for the stock terminal app on the Mac and I always come back to iTerm2. Its split panes are a great feature for those of us who aren’t tmux savvy. I use a material design theme and a Hasklug Nerd Font to make it pretty.
Homebrew
A wonderful, simple-to-use package manager. Homebrew allows you to install any of thousands of 3rd party tools with a simple command like brew install ffmpeg. Be aware that in the past, homebrew installed everything in…
