How to install MIT Scheme on Mac?

Question or issue on macOS:

I want to install MIT Scheme on my Mac, I have downloaded the MacOS X binary(x86-64).

However, I could not make it work using Mac Terminal.

I have tried to follow these articles:

Installing MIT/GNU Scheme on Mac OS X Leopard

Installing MIT Scheme on Mac OS X

but it seems out of date and does not work.

So, I’m looking for a simple method which allows me to write Scheme code using Mac Terminal.

I have struggled for hours to try to install it.

How to solve this problem?

Solution no. 1:

UPDATED FOR EL CAPITAN:

The best way that I’ve found was from here:

1. Download either the 32-bit or 64-bit dmg file for Scheme.
2. Double click the .dmg file, and you’ll get this window, in which you should drag the “MIT/GNU Scheme” file into the Applications folder.

3. For the 32-bit version, run this command:

   sudo ln -s /Applications/MIT\:GNU\ Scheme.app/Contents/Resources /usr/local/lib/mit-scheme-i386 

   Then enter your administrator password, and run this command:

   sudo ln -s /usr/local/lib/mit-scheme-i386/mit-scheme /usr/local/bin/scheme 

   For the 64-bit version, first run this command:

   sudo ln -s /Applications/MIT\:GNU\ Scheme.app/Contents/Resources /usr/local/lib/mit-scheme-x86-64 

   Then enter your administrator password and run this command:

   sudo ln -s /usr/local/lib/mit-scheme-x86-64/mit-scheme /usr/local/bin/scheme 

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And that’s it! Now you should be able to use MIT Scheme in your terminal by typing “scheme” into the command line:

Solution no. 2:

Homebrew makes it easy for you. On Terminal, type:

ruby <(curl -fsSkL raw.github.com/mxcl/homebrew/go) ; brew install mit-scheme

Done!

Edit

The install script has been moved:

ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)" ; brew install mit-scheme

Solution no. 3:

For Yosemite 10.10.3:

After installing X11.app and homebrew,

$ brew tap homebrew/x11 $ brew install mit-scheme 

I found it easier when a maintained package manager such as homebrew covers all the dependency and build stuff.

---

Edit: simply

$ brew install mit-scheme

would do. X11 is now optional instead of dependence. There is still an --with-x11 option which requires whole Xcode.

Solution no. 4:

You can install scheme using homebrew using the following command

brew install mit-scheme

Solution no. 5:

If you have the latest version of Mac system, El Capitan 10.11.2, You might need to do something different than above.

The first command will be same.
For the 64-bit version, first run this command:

sudo ln -s /Applications/MIT\:GNU\ Scheme.app/Contents/Resources /usr/local/lib/mit-scheme-x86-64

Then enter your administrator password and run this command:

sudo ln -s /usr/local/lib/mit-scheme-x86-64/mit-scheme /usr/local/bin/scheme

Note: The difference is you need to put local between /usr/ and /bin/

Type scheme in the terminal to see if it works. If you get the following screenshot, that means you succeed it.

Success Result

You definitely need to put local there.
The reason is this, Apple improved OS security in OSX 10.10 (rootless), and changes to the general system-wide binaries (such as /usr/bin) is not permitted.

Solution no. 6:

If you are having trouble with the accepted answer from @virgil-ming, try this:

$ brew install Caskroom/cask/xquartz
$ brew install mit-scheme

Same idea, of course, but this got me up and running when brew tap homebrew/x11 responded with multiple conflicts.

As always, remember to brew update then try again when you are having problems, a la Homebrew’s troubleshooting guide.

Solution no. 7:

If you are using MacPorts, the command is similar to what others have posted for homebrew –

sudo port install mit-scheme

That set me up pretty well on OS X 10.8.5

Solution no. 8:

UPDATE FOR MAC OS HIGH SIERRA:

Worked for me just by executing (if you are using Homebrew):

brew install mit-scheme

Solution no. 9:

If you are using docker, and I recommend you do:

docker run -it inikolaev/alpine-scheme

will drop you right into a scheme REPL.

Solution no. 10:

I came across a problem that the 10.x versions of the MIT/GNU Scheme do not support Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan. In fact, it requires Mac OS X 10.13 or higher.

The topmost version supporting older Mac OS X versions is MIT/GNU Scheme 9.2.

Hope this helps!