macOS New guy (Want to get into developing Mac/Iphone apps)

To really be able to program for the iPhone/iPod Touch, you will need to learn C/Objective-C, which won't be all that hard, since it is a short trip from JAVA to C.

As for programming on the Mac, you can use JAVA or C/Objective C. Just make sure you have X-Code installed on your Mac and have at it. Also, don't forget to get the iPhone SDK to get the calls and platform compilier information you will need for the iPhone.

Oh, and Welcome to the World of Macintosh and Macrumors.

TEG

TEG said:

As for programming on the Mac, you can use JAVA or C/Objective C. Just make sure you have X-Code installed on your Mac and have at it. Also, don't forget to get the iPhone SDK to get the calls and platform compilier information you will need for the iPhone.

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Just to be clear, you will have to use Objective-C on the iPhone. Java is not an option.

admanimal said:

Java is not an option.

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Not Yet - but soon

kingjr3 said:

Not Yet - but soon

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I think it's going to be a while. Plus there's no guarantee that you will be able to make bona-fide iPhone applications with it.

I definitely wouldn't count on developing in Java for the iPhone. I too come from a Java background, with a lot of C# experience, and I'm working on learning Objective-C. It's a pretty easy pick up once you get into it.

Any recommended books or programming resources?

I want to learn object C, but don't know where to begin. I've programmed mainly in web technologies, VB, ASP, Javascript, Cold Fusion, PHP. I've done some Applescript.

The only "real" language I used was NewtonScript which is a true OO language like Smalltalk.

Anyway, should I take a course on C or C++ at my local community college? Should I hire a programmer from Craig's list to sit with me a couple of Saturdays? Any "Got to have" books out there?

Steven Kochan (who is on this forum) wrote a book. I suggest you start with that one. It is a bit out-dated since Apple updated the language and the tools, but still highly recommended.

After that, search on Lulu.com for another book on ObjC for OS X. I bought the eBook version of that one but they also have a printed version. I prefer eBooks as they take up no physical space so I can carry them around on my laptop to read and don't pile up in my bedroom.