I'm Trying To Install Ncdu Using MacPorts In MacOS Catalina, However It Depends On Zig But Zig Is No Longer Compatible, Looking For Workaround

Apr 29, 2025 by ADMIN 143 views

Installing ncdu on macOS Catalina using MacPorts: Overcoming the zig compatibility issue

As a macOS user, you're likely familiar with the convenience of package managers like Homebrew and MacPorts. However, when a package depends on another package that's no longer compatible, it can be a challenge to install the desired software. In this article, we'll explore a workaround for installing ncdu on macOS Catalina using MacPorts, which is currently not supported due to the zig compatibility issue.

For those who may not be aware, ncdu is a disk usage analyzer that provides a detailed breakdown of disk space usage on your system. It's a valuable tool for identifying and managing disk space, especially on systems with limited storage capacity. However, the latest version of ncdu depends on the zig programming language, which is no longer compatible with macOS Catalina.

The zig compatibility issue

The zig programming language is a general-purpose language that's designed to be fast and efficient. However, its compatibility with macOS Catalina has been a subject of controversy. The issue arises from the fact that zig relies on certain system libraries that are no longer available on macOS Catalina. As a result, any package that depends on zig will fail to install on this operating system.

Using Homebrew on macOS Catalina

As you may know, Homebrew is a popular package manager for macOS that allows you to easily install and manage software on your system. However, since Homebrew is no longer supported on macOS Catalina, it tries to compile every package from source. This can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, especially for packages that have complex dependencies.

MacPorts as an alternative

MacPorts is another popular package manager for macOS that offers an alternative to Homebrew. While it's not as widely used as Homebrew, MacPorts has its own strengths and weaknesses. One of the advantages of MacPorts is that it provides a more flexible and customizable installation process, which can be beneficial for users who need to install specific packages or versions.

Installing ncdu using MacPorts

To install ncdu using MacPorts, you'll need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Install MacPorts

If you haven't already installed MacPorts on your system, you can do so by following the instructions on the MacPorts website. Once you've installed MacPorts, you can verify that it's working correctly by running the following command in your terminal:

port -v

Step 2: Install the required dependencies

Before you can install ncdu, you'll need to install the required dependencies. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo port install ncdu

However, since ncdu depends on zig, which is no longer compatible with macOS Catalina, you'll need to use a workaround to install the required dependencies.

Step 3: Use a workaround to install the required dependencies

One possible workaround is to use a different package manager, such as Homebrew, to install the required dependencies. However, since Homebrew is no longer supported on macOS Catalina, you'll need to use a different approach.

Another possible workaround is to use a third-party package manager, such as pkgsrc, to the required dependencies. pkgsrc is a package manager that's designed to work on a wide range of operating systems, including macOS.

To use pkgsrc, you'll need to install it on your system and then use it to install the required dependencies. You can do this by following the instructions on the pkgsrc website.

Step 4: Install ncdu

Once you've installed the required dependencies using a workaround, you can install ncdu using MacPorts. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo port install ncdu

Installing ncdu on macOS Catalina using MacPorts can be a challenge due to the zig compatibility issue. However, by using a workaround, such as installing the required dependencies using a different package manager or a third-party package manager, you can successfully install ncdu on your system. We hope that this article has provided you with the information and guidance you need to overcome the zig compatibility issue and install ncdu on your macOS Catalina system.

Q: Why is zig no longer compatible with macOS Catalina? A: The zig programming language relies on certain system libraries that are no longer available on macOS Catalina.
Q: Can I use Homebrew to install ncdu on macOS Catalina? A: No, Homebrew is no longer supported on macOS Catalina, and it tries to compile every package from source, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Q: What is a possible workaround for installing ncdu on macOS Catalina? A: One possible workaround is to use a different package manager, such as pkgsrc, to install the required dependencies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Installing ncdu on macOS Catalina using MacPorts

A: ncdu is a disk usage analyzer that provides a detailed breakdown of disk space usage on your system. It's a valuable tool for identifying and managing disk space, especially on systems with limited storage capacity.

A: The zig programming language relies on certain system libraries that are no longer available on macOS Catalina. This incompatibility issue prevents ncdu from being installed on macOS Catalina using MacPorts.

A: No, Homebrew is no longer supported on macOS Catalina, and it tries to compile every package from source, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Additionally, Homebrew is not compatible with the zig programming language, which is required by ncdu.

A: One possible workaround is to use a different package manager, such as pkgsrc, to install the required dependencies. pkgsrc is a package manager that's designed to work on a wide range of operating systems, including macOS.

A: To install pkgsrc on your system, you'll need to follow the instructions on the pkgsrc website. pkgsrc is a complex package manager that requires careful configuration and installation.

A: Yes, you can use a third-party package manager, such as pkgsrc, to install ncdu on macOS Catalina. However, you'll need to carefully configure and install the package manager, and then use it to install the required dependencies.

A: To install ncdu on macOS Catalina, you'll need to have the following system requirements:

macOS Catalina (or later)
MacPorts (or another package manager)
pkgsrc (or another third-party package manager)
A compatible CPU and memory configuration

A: To troubleshoot installation issues with ncdu on macOS Catalina, you can try the following steps:

Check the system requirements for installing ncdu on macOS Catalina.
Verify that you have the required dependencies installed.
Check the package manager's documentation for troubleshooting tips.
Search online for solutions to common installation issues.

A: Yes, you can use a different version of ncdu on macOS Catalina. However, you'll need to carefully configure and install the package manager, and then use it to install the required dependencies.

A: To update ncdu on macOS Catalina, you can use the following steps:

Check the package manager's documentation for updating instructions.
Verify that you have the latest version of the package manager installed.
Use the package manager to update the required dependencies.
Install the updated version of ncdu.

Q: Why is zig no longer compatible with macOS Catalina? A: The zig programming language relies on certain system libraries that are no longer available on macOS Catalina.
Q: Can I use Homebrew to install ncdu on macOS Catalina? A: No, Homebrew is no longer supported on macOS Catalina, and it tries to compile every package from source, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Q: What is a possible workaround for installing ncdu on macOS Catalina? A: One possible workaround is to use a different package manager, such as pkgsrc, to install the required dependencies.