How to Install libgdiplus for Visual Studio Code C++ on Mac OS

If you are developing .NET applications that use the assembly, you may encounter an issue where the application requires libgdiplus to be installed. Fortunately, installing libgdiplus is a straightforward process using the Homebrew package manager for macOS.

To install libgdiplus, start by opening a Terminal prompt and executing the following command: `brew update`. This will ensure that your brew installation is up to date.

Next, install libgdiplus using the following command: `brew install libgdiplus`. Once the installation is complete, you can verify that libgdiplus has been installed by running the command `brew list` and looking for libgdiplus in the list of installed packages.

Notarization Requirements for .NET Applications

Beginning with macOS Catalina (version 10.15), all software built after July 2019 must be notarized if it is distributed with a Developer ID. This means that any .NET applications you create and distribute will need to be notarized in order to run on macOS.

Prior to February 18, 2020, .NET applications were not notarized. However, as of this date, all new .NET releases have been notarized.

Installing the ASP.NET Core Runtime

When installing the SDK for .NET, you will also be prompted to install the ASP.NET Core runtime. This is highly recommended in order to ensure the best compatibility with your C++ applications.

There are two different runtimes available for installation on macOS: the full runtime and the minimal runtime. The full runtime includes additional features and dependencies, while the minimal runtime only includes the essential components needed to run .NET apps.

If you do not include the runtime in your app, it will be up to the user to install it manually. Fortunately, including the runtime with your app is a simple process that can be done during the publishing stage.

Life Cycle of .NET and macOS

The life cycle of .NET versions is closely tied to the version of macOS they are supported on. As new versions of .NET are released, they will typically only be supported for a certain period of time before being deprecated.

The following table provides a list of currently supported .NET versions:

| Version | Supported Until |

| --- | --- |

| 4.7.x | March 2023 |

| 5.0.x | June 2023 |

| 6.0.x | September 2023 |

In conclusion, installing libgdiplus for Visual Studio Code C++ on Mac OS is a simple process that can be completed using Homebrew. Additionally, notarization requirements and the life cycle of .NET versions are important considerations for any developer working with .NET applications on macOS.

Visual studio code c++ macos