> Compiling takes forever until it fails with an obscure C11 error or missing C library features. And that makes for a fun, if often frustrating, challenge.
Seems to me the trick to enhancing build times would be emulation using modern hardware, no? qemu, etc.
QEMU support exists, but needs TLC. The best it can do is "mac99" which emulates a 1st generation PowerMac G4 - it can run 9.2 - 10.5. But in my experience via UTM on a modern MacBook, it gains some Geekbench points like memory speed but loses a lot in others like integer performance.
I'm very glad that it exists but is not at a point where a powerful Ryzen or Apple Mx can compile (much) faster than real hardware.