iOS help getting started on my first app

[mjohansen]

I want to make an iOS app primarily for my own use. The purpose of the app is to help me keep track on my sports betting (statistics and such) when I am not near a PC with excel.

I do not have any programming experience, so where is a good place to start?

 

[1458279]

Given that you have no programming experience, I'd start by digging thru the AppStore to find an app that works for what you need.

Even _IF_ you needs were very special and there was nothing to completely address your needs, it would still be best to rethink the idea of making an app.

Making an app is a very involved process, the reward for your invest in time is not going to be worth it.

Maybe look into MS Office and see if you can write macros or customize an app to make it work well for you.

Another option is to pay someone to customize an app for you if you can't find one that works the way you want.

 

[barbu]

I want to make an iOS app primarily for my own use. The purpose of the app is to help me keep track on my sports betting (statistics and such) when I am not near a PC with excel.

I do not have any programming experience, so where is a good place to start?

You could just use Excel on your iPhone, no? It is a free download.

 

[bbeagle]

Making an app is a very involved process, the reward for your invest in time is not going to be worth it.

The REWARD is learning to program. Just like doing something else difficult, like losing weight, learning to play the piano, learning to dance, you need to spend a LOT of time and keep yourself motivated. It needs to be a PASSION in your life. You need to spend at least 4 hours a day to this programming activity for at least 6 months to expect to get anywhere.

If you can do this, it's definitely worth it. It'll be a skill you'll have the rest of your life.

In my case, I was a nerd in high school and college, with just a few friends and we spent every Friday night and all day on Saturday and Sunday learning programming and developing our own games. It was our passion - and hindered our social lives. It's well worth it today though.

Nothing comes quick though. If what you want is something done quickly to get the 'experience of programming', you really need to just buy a 21-day programming book, read that and work through the examples. You won't really know how to program, but you'll get the idea. Doing your OWN thing right away if you don't have the passion and commitment is impossible.

 

[mjohansen]

The REWARD is learning to program. Just like doing something else difficult, like losing weight, learning to play the piano, learning to dance, you need to spend a LOT of time and keep yourself motivated. It needs to be a PASSION in your life. You need to spend at least 4 hours a day to this programming activity for at least 6 months to expect to get anywhere.

If you can do this, it's definitely worth it. It'll be a skill you'll have the rest of your life.

In my case, I was a nerd in high school and college, with just a few friends and we spent every Friday night and all day on Saturday and Sunday learning programming and developing our own games. It was our passion - and hindered our social lives. It's well worth it today though.

Nothing comes quick though. If what you want is something done quickly to get the 'experience of programming', you really need to just buy a 21-day programming book, read that and work through the examples. You won't really know how to program, but you'll get the idea. Doing your OWN thing right away if you don't have the passion and commitment is impossible.

I actually want to learn how to make my own app. It might be useful later on. I just need some guidance as to where to start?

But if there is a simple way to convert a excel spreadsheet to an iOS app or an easy way to make an app which can make simple calculations based on user input, that would be great

 

[bbeagle]

I actually want to learn how to make my own app. It might be useful later on. I just need some guidance as to where to start?

All FREE and VERY good. Much better than buying anything:

1. Download Xcode.
2. Watch the latest course on iOS programming iTunes U from Stanford University http://itunes.stanford.edu (make sure you do all the 'homework' on the course)
3. While watching the course, read the iBook 'The Swift Programming Language' https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/swift-programming-language/id881256329?mt=11

Then you'll be ready to figure out how to program what you want, and if you're interested in programming.

 

[AppleDavid]

So in my class we learned c++.My question is how different or how connected is c++ with objective C and Swift?

 

[bbeagle]

So in my class we learned c++.My question is how different or how connected is c++ with objective C and Swift?

Objective C is it's own beast. Completely different than C or C++. Although Objective C actually came from C, it has so much on it's own.

Swift is more like Java.

Learning the language syntax itself isn't that difficult, (Swift is far easier for a beginning developer). but learning Apple's use of the language in it's APIs is quite tricky, because a lot of the things it does are quite different. Things like reference counting, adding methods to classes post-implementation, exception handling is different.

 

[AppleDavid]

Objective C is it's own beast. Completely different than C or C++. Although Objective C actually came from C, it has so much on it's own.

Swift is more like Java.

Learning the language syntax itself isn't that difficult, (Swift is far easier for a beginning developer). but learning Apple's use of the language in it's APIs is quite tricky, because a lot of the things it does are quite different. Things like reference counting, adding methods to classes post-implementation, exception handling is different.

Thanks for information!What do you think: Next year we have JavaScript and html. So swift or objective C for iOS programming?

 

[bbeagle]

Thanks for information!What do you think: Next year we have JavaScript and html. So swift or objective C for iOS programming?

Swift. It's the future. You'll learn enough Objective-C to get by while learning Swift, just because many of the APIs are still in Objective-C. You'll use a bridging header to translate this to Swift. You'll understand a lot of the syntax just by looking through code while debugging and older documentation.

Javascript is it's own beast. Nothing to do with Java, except the name. It was originally called LiveScript until Netscape renamed it Javascript to get on the Java bandwagon. Just remember that when learning it. Some syntax might look similar, but acts very differently.

 

[AppleDavid]

Swift. It's the future. You'll learn enough Objective-C to get by while learning Swift, just because many of the APIs are still in Objective-C. You'll use a bridging header to translate this to Swift. You'll understand a lot of the syntax just by looking through code while debugging and older documentation.

Javascript is it's own beast. Nothing to do with Java, except the name. It was originally called LiveScript until Netscape renamed it Javascript to get on the Java bandwagon. Just remember that when learning it. Some syntax might look similar, but acts very differently.

Great to hear some good feedback on this! thanks!

 

[rayenkamta]

Look for an API to provide u the sports data.
then use JSON parser to show data on your app.
I can build this app within a few days

 

[page404]

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