Contrary to the other posts, I recommend skipping over all the long and boring command line stuff. I know a little about programming (can make a super basic C++ command prompt application in windows) and I have desperately wanted to learn how to make mac and iphone apps. After checking about 7 books out of my public library, I finally found one that works well with my learning style.
- I dont want to know the history of the language, and I definitely dont want to spend 2 weeks of my life learning how to make a CMD prompt hang-man game.
The book was
this. It is about 380 pages of material, and it starts you right off creating an application. You learn basic things and familiarize yourself with the language as you go. I am about halfway through and not everything has clicked in my brain, but I feel much more confident with my knowledge just because I am actually making something.
The posts above mine are most likely from experienced coders, and Im sure their described methods are fine, but I dont like to learn like that. I like to jump right into it, actually see progress, etc.
I have the PDF and the physical book, It was about 45 bucks all together. I can send you the first 2 or three chapters of the PDF if you are at all interested.