Why are macOS Plugins Bigger than Windows? Lets Break it Down.

Okay, so I’ve been messing around with making plugins for a while now, you know, for music production and stuff. And I noticed something kinda weird. The plugins I make for macOS always end up being way bigger in size than the ones for Windows. It’s been bugging me, so I decided to dig into it.

First thing I did was to start a new project, nothing fancy, just a basic plugin template. I compiled it for both macOS and Windows, just to see the raw difference. And bam! The macOS one was like, noticeably bigger. I was like, “What the heck is going on here?”

Then I remembered that Apple has its own way of doing things. So, I guess their ecosystem might be playing a part in this. I mean, they have these strict guidelines and a whole review process, maybe that adds some extra stuff to the files. I’m not sure though, but it’s just a thought.

• Digging Deeper:
• I started comparing the compiled files, looking at what’s inside them. I won’t lie, I got a bit lost in all the technical jargon. But from what I could gather, it seems like macOS might be including some extra libraries or frameworks that Windows doesn’t.
• Experiment Time:
• Next, I tried a little experiment. I created plugins with the exact same functionality but used different compilers, that kind of stuff. The size difference was still there, which made me think it’s not just about the tools I’m using.
• The Question Still Remains:
• After all this, I’m still not 100% sure why this size difference exists. It’s probably a combination of different factors. Maybe it’s Apple’s ecosystem, maybe it’s the way macOS handles files. It could also be something totally different that I haven’t even thought of.

And you know what? In the end, I did not find a solution. But the whole process was a good learning experience. I got to dive deeper into how plugins are built and how different operating systems work. That’s a win in my book. I am still trying to find the answer.

Oh, and one funny thing I noticed: Windows seems to be way more chill with old plugins. I found some ancient ones that still work fine. macOS, on the other hand, is always pushing for updates. Different strokes for different folks, I guess!

My Conclusion

So yeah, that’s my little adventure into the world of plugin sizes. If any of you guys have any ideas or insights, I’d love to hear them. Maybe together we can crack this mystery. I can’t say I have the answer to why macOS plugins are bigger, but hey, at least I tried! And I learned a bunch along the way. That’s what counts, right?