iOS Help for Programming Noob!

[cambookpro]

Hi,
I am quite young and want to get into iOS programming. I've seen the success of apps like Bubble Ball and just want to have a go!

I have Xcode, Dashcode etc. downloaded from the Apple website.
I was wondering if any experienced devs could help me - where to start, any good books, online videos/tutorials and any general programming tips.

I am fairly confident in HTML and can do some ActionScript. Should I go on to Objective C and Cocoa straight away, or do you recommend starting on something like Java?

Any help is really appreciated. Thanks.

 

[robbieduncan]

Take a look at the sticky thread at the top of the (the iPhone/iPad Programming) forum. it is full of suggestions for getting started. You managed to post this in the correct place first time which is (no joking) better than quite a few!

 

[cambookpro]

Take a look at the sticky thread at the top of the (the iPhone/iPad Programming) forum. it is full of suggestions for getting started. You managed to post this in the correct place first time which is (no joking) better than quite a few!

Thanks.
I usually completely miss stickies, I think it's something to do with you automatically looking a 1/3 of the way down a page!

 

[robbieduncan]

To answer the Java question I wouldn't. Not because Java is not good (I use it a lot at work) but because it's not really going to help you that much with the APIs: Cocoa is very different to the Java library. And whilst the two languages are both Object-Oriented they are not the same.

I'd recommend learning some basic C so as pointer make sense then jump into Objective-C.

 

[cambookpro]

To answer the Java question I wouldn't. Not because Java is not good (I use it a lot at work) but because it's not really going to help you that much with the APIs: Cocoa is very different to the Java library. And whilst the two languages are both Object-Oriented they are not the same.

I'd recommend learning some basic C so as pointer make sense then jump into Objective-C.

Thanks again.
Just a quick question: which is easier to develop for: iOS or OS X?
Obviously neither of them are 'easy' as such, but isn't OS X easier as you don't have to worry about Cocoa Touch?

 

[robbieduncan]

Thanks again.
Just a quick question: which is easier to develop for: iOS or OS X?
Obviously neither of them are 'easy' as such, but isn't OS X easier as you don't have to worry about Cocoa Touch?

You have Cocoa on OSX. If anything it's a more complex environment. The beauty of the iOS environment is the simplicity and how much it does for you. But memory management on iOS is much more critical.

 

[RodThePlod]

Also, remember to check out Stephen Kochan's Programming in Objective C 2.0. It's a great reference to many iOS developers.

Good luck with your development efforts. Things can be quite slow to start off with but with a bit of perseverance, you'll eventually get there

RTP.

 

[cambookpro]

Also, remember to check out Stephen Kochan's Programming in Objective C 2.0. It's a great reference to many iOS developers.

Good luck with your development efforts. Things can be quite slow to start off with but with a bit of perseverance, you'll eventually get there

RTP.

Thanks for the help. I have added the book you mentioned to my Amazon wishlist, so I won't forget! Reviews are good.

 

[dejo]

Just be aware that the 3rd edition of "Programming in Objective-C" comes out June 26th.

 

[RafaelT]

I am in much the same situation you are, just getting started. I did some research and found these books on Amazon, they are highly rated and the comments say they are very well put together and consistent.. a lot of reviews on other books were not so great. I am about to order them.

Learn C on the Mac (Learn Series)
http://www.amazon.com/Learn-C-Mac-Dave-Mark/dp/1430218096/

Learn Objective-C on the Mac (Learn Series)
http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Objective-C-Mac-Mark-Dalrymple/dp/1430218150/

Learn Cocoa on the Mac (Learn Series)
http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Cocoa-Mac-Dave-Mark/dp/1430218592/