Symptom
With more PowerBuilder developers starting to use MacOS, this knowledge base article provides a simple workaround for running PowerBuilder IDE on a Mac.
Environment
Mac with M1 or newer chip
PowerBuilder 2017 or newer
Cause
PowerBuilder IDE is compiled for the x86 architecture and cannot natively run on a MacOS.
Resolution
To run PowerBuilder IDE on a Mac with an M1 or newer chip, you can use Parallels Desktop with a supported Windows OS (e.g., Windows 11). Follow these general steps:
1. Install Parallels Desktop on your Mac
2. Set Up a Windows VM in Parallels
3. Install PowerBuilder IDE
4. Run PowerBuilder IDE from the Windows VM
Disclaimer: ARM processors, including those in M1 and newer Macs, are not officially supported at this time. The workaround above is provided as-is, and performance or functionality may vary. Use at your own risk.