I am a total noob to objective c and any other programming language that is related. I have read reviews that this is is best book for me. However, I see that a new version is coming out in June. I want to get started ASAP, but I also want to have a book that is up to date. Any suggestions on which copy would be better?
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macOS Programming in Objective-C 2.0 -- 2nd or 3rd?
- Thread starter nick7138
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The third edition has been delayed at least twice. IIRC it was originally scheduled for release in December 2010 and then March and now June. When it will actually come out remains to be seen. (EDIT: I checked my pre-order status when I ordered in December, it was scheduled for Feb, then late April, then mid May and now June).
Pick up the second edition and resell it on Amazon when the new one comes out.
B
On the authors website, he says you don't need to wait for the 3rd edition. Hope this helps
http://classroomm.com/objective-c/index.php?topic=4253.0
http://classroomm.com/objective-c/index.php?topic=4253.0
nick7138, Just want to toss this out there. If you are a total noob you might want to start with a language that is a little easier to learn. I started with that book and got lost. I then moved over to C and read the book 'Learn C on the Mac'
http://www.amazon.com/Learn-C-Mac-Dave-Mark/dp/1430218096
If you start to get lost take a step back and learn C first. Objective-C is an Extension to C. I am just now starting on Objective-C too and am better prepared for it. Also I am taking a Pascal programming class at my local city collage, I am 40 but not the oldest in my class.
-Lars
http://www.amazon.com/Learn-C-Mac-Dave-Mark/dp/1430218096
If you start to get lost take a step back and learn C first. Objective-C is an Extension to C. I am just now starting on Objective-C too and am better prepared for it. Also I am taking a Pascal programming class at my local city collage, I am 40 but not the oldest in my class.
-Lars
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nick7138 I think the take away message is that everyone learns things differently. For larswik and cybrscot, two recent posters here, Kochan didn't work as a first book for one reason or another. They both switched over to C though I would encourage you to try Kochan, if you get lost, try larswik's suggestion before you try the book that cybrscot is using. (Check out their threads to see why.)
Even if you don't get lost, I think that digging a bit deeper in C is appropriate when you get to about the end of Part II in Kochan, just before he is set to introduce Cocoa and Cocoa Touch.
B
Disagreed. The author wrote the book in the mind that the readers have not learned any programming languages beforehand. You can read more at the author's website, here.
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Just because that was the author's intent, doesn't mean it is effective for everyone. cybrscot found and others have found it less than engaging (boring).
B
Everyone learns at their own pace. I got about 1/3 into the book and hit SELF and pointers and I began to check out mentally. The book for me was boring. I even spent $60 or so and downloaded all the videos that went over the chapters when he was talking to the camera. That was also boring.
Is it a good book? -YES.
Is it good for everyone? -NO
Learn C on the Mac worked for me and this forum helped me when I got stuck. The point is, if you get stuck and it is hard to understand or boring. Switch to a different book or step back to C.
Is it a good book? -YES.
Is it good for everyone? -NO
Learn C on the Mac worked for me and this forum helped me when I got stuck. The point is, if you get stuck and it is hard to understand or boring. Switch to a different book or step back to C.
You are also right
. I have some knowledge about C (learned it when I was in high school), so I found this book somewhat easy to understand. Everybody is different, but I would still recommend going straight off to this book first. Step back to C if there's something that seems confusing, as stated by the previous commenter.
Likewise, I think when Kochan's approach does resonate with the reader they will likely make a decent Objective-C 2.0 programmer. When it doesn't, they may have a longer journey and tougher row to hoe.
Doesn't mean they can't make it, just means more/different effort is required.
B
Just a quick note to anyone interested: the 3rd edition of Programming in Objective-C will definitively be out next month (June 2011).
Since the book uses Xcode in several of its examples, we had to wait until Xcode 4 was released and out from NDA before we could finalize the manuscript for this edition.
So if you intend to use Xcode 4 and can wait a month, you can now safely pre-order the third edition and depend on it arriving in June!
Mark Taber
Pearson/Addison-Wesley
Since the book uses Xcode in several of its examples, we had to wait until Xcode 4 was released and out from NDA before we could finalize the manuscript for this edition.
So if you intend to use Xcode 4 and can wait a month, you can now safely pre-order the third edition and depend on it arriving in June!
Mark Taber
Pearson/Addison-Wesley
If cost is enough of a factor to force you to choose, why not order a USED book?
(I realize it's too late, since you already ordered the book.)
I've ordered a ton of used books through Amazon resellers with great results. It's especially good for "mature" titles like this. In fact, sometimes it's the only way to get them. ("Cocoa Programming", Anguish et al, for example.)
And save money on the new edition by ordering a digital copy only, if available, typically directly from the publisher.
(I realize it's too late, since you already ordered the book.)
I've ordered a ton of used books through Amazon resellers with great results. It's especially good for "mature" titles like this. In fact, sometimes it's the only way to get them. ("Cocoa Programming", Anguish et al, for example.)
And save money on the new edition by ordering a digital copy only, if available, typically directly from the publisher.
I was going to wait for the 3rd Ed. too but wanted to get started on it so instead of getting the actual book and paying bigger bucks, I got the Kindle e-book on sale for about $15. I use it on the iPad and MBP at my desk. Works great. Can't highlight and make notes though.
When the third comes out I'll spend the bucks then. Although I still might get the e-book version also. Getting used to learning that way.
When the third comes out I'll spend the bucks then. Although I still might get the e-book version also. Getting used to learning that way.