XQuartz facts for kids
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| Developer(s) | Jeremy Huddleston Sequoia, X.Org Foundation, Apple Inc. |
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| Stable release |
2.8.5 / January 26, 2023
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| Written in | C |
| Operating system | macOS |
| Type | Display server |
| License | Apple Public Source License MIT License |
XQuartz is a special program for computers that use macOS. It helps your Mac run certain applications that were originally made for a different kind of computer system called the X Window System. You might hear this system called X11 or just X.
Think of XQuartz as a translator. It helps programs that speak "X11 language" work smoothly on your Mac, which speaks "macOS language." This is really helpful for many different types of software, especially those used in science and schools, that might not have been designed just for Macs.
In 2012, XQuartz became the official way for Macs to run these X11 programs. Before that, Apple had its own built-in X11 app. The name "XQuartz" comes from "Quartz," which is a key part of how macOS handles graphics.
How XQuartz Started
XQuartz has an interesting history. Apple first offered an X11 program as a test version for Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar. Later, it became a standard part of Mac OS X 10.3 Panther.
For a few years, from Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard to Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, the X11 program was automatically installed on Macs. But when OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion came out, Apple decided to let the open-source XQuartz project take over. "Open-source" means that many people can work on and improve the program together. Apple still helps out with the XQuartz project.
How XQuartz Works
Older versions of Apple's X11 program used something called XFree86. But with Mac OS X Leopard, it switched to using the X.Org Server. This is the same system that XQuartz uses today.
One cool feature is "rootless" mode. This means that when you run an X11 program on your Mac, its windows appear right on your regular macOS desktop. They look and act like any other Mac application window, instead of being stuck inside a separate virtual desktop.
XQuartz also helps programs use your computer's graphics hardware. This makes things like 2D graphics and OpenGL (which is used for 3D graphics) run faster and smoother. It also connects well with Aqua, which is the colorful and smooth look of the macOS desktop.
However, if you have a very high-resolution screen, like a Retina display, X11 apps running through XQuartz might not look as sharp. They usually run in a "pixel-doubled" mode, which means they might appear a bit blurry compared to apps made specifically for Retina screens.
Where to Find XQuartz
You can download the latest version of XQuartz from its official website. It's a free program because it's open-source. This means that many people can look at its code and help make it better.
Other X11 Programs
- MacX: This was an older program that helped Macs run X11 applications before XQuartz existed.
- XWayland: This is a similar program that helps X11 applications run on a newer display system called Wayland.
- XDarwin: Another program that came before XQuartz. It supported older versions of macOS.
See also
In Spanish: XQuartz para niños
