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Best Way To Learn iPhone Programming

8 points by kloncks 16y ago

I'm a 20-year-old college student who's been programming for a long time in PHP (I know...I know. Sorry.) and most recently Python.

danest 16y ago
I suggest looking at Apples getting started guide for the very basics of Objective-C. I have also used CS-193P Stanford classes. These might be better if you are a visual learner. http://www.stanford.edu/class/cs193p/cgi-bin/drupal/ http://www.stanford.edu/class/cs193p/cgi-bin/drupal/ Another great resource has been this Design and Code website. http://designthencode.com/scratch/ http://designthencode.com/scratch/
jbrennan 16y ago
If you've done any looking around already, you've probably seen this advice: "Just start building something", and it's really the best advice. Of course, check out http://developer.apple.com/ios http://developer.apple.com/ios. Their documentation is incredible. They have "Getting Started" guides, learning Objective-C, Cocoa touch, and building basic apps, all the way up to using specific classes. It's definitely a fantastic resource. The Stanford classes are excellent as well. But really, once you've gone through those resources (and really, while you're still going through them), you really need to just sit down and build something. You've hopefully got some kind of app in mind. Just start building it. If you find it's too complicated for your skillset, scale it back. Even if you just make your app present a UI and maybe a Settings screen, you'll have accomplished a ton, and taking that and making a full "regular app" is at mostly the same skill level (and confidence level).
Zev 16y ago
Read http://borkwarellc.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/learning-iphone-programming/ http://borkwarellc.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/learning-iphone-.... It says exactly what I would say, only is written by someone else.
deleted 16y ago
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- jnhnum1 16y ago
  Look, some people (not me personally) prefer using the iOS platform. The OP may be interested in building apps just for his own immediate benefit. Even if he is looking to make money, Apple's app store is still an extremely viable (and proven) option. I don't think you should be telling him what and what not to learn.
  - deleted 16y ago
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  - markd2 16y ago
    Hi, I'm the author of the link you replied to. I don't see where I'm telling folks to avoid iOS or get off the app store. Please let me know where I'm unclear and I'll be glad to fix it.
dpio 16y ago
I like this book. http://www.bignerdranch.com/book/iphone_programming_the_big_nerd_ranch_guide http://www.bignerdranch.com/book/iphone_programming_the_big_... I've struggled through other iOS dev books and, for me, this one has been the most clear.
Dnguyen 16y ago
Before "just start building something", I recommend taking some project and start tweaking it to see how/what changes affect the app. Set some break points and trace through to see how the message (selectors) works. This get you used to looking that Objective-C code before you dive in.

8 points by kloncks 16y ago

I'm a 20-year-old college student who's been programming for a long time in PHP (I know...I know. Sorry.) and most recently Python.

danest 16y ago

I suggest looking at Apples getting started guide for the very basics of Objective-C. I have also used CS-193P Stanford classes. These might be better if you are a visual learner. http://www.stanford.edu/class/cs193p/cgi-bin/drupal/ http://www.stanford.edu/class/cs193p/cgi-bin/drupal/ Another great resource has been this Design and Code website. http://designthencode.com/scratch/ http://designthencode.com/scratch/

jbrennan 16y ago

If you've done any looking around already, you've probably seen this advice: "Just start building something", and it's really the best advice. Of course, check out http://developer.apple.com/ios http://developer.apple.com/ios. Their documentation is incredible. They have "Getting Started" guides, learning Objective-C, Cocoa touch, and building basic apps, all the way up to using specific classes. It's definitely a fantastic resource. The Stanford classes are excellent as well. But really, once you've gone through those resources (and really, while you're still going through them), you really need to just sit down and build something. You've hopefully got some kind of app in mind. Just start building it. If you find it's too complicated for your skillset, scale it back. Even if you just make your app present a UI and maybe a Settings screen, you'll have accomplished a ton, and taking that and making a full "regular app" is at mostly the same skill level (and confidence level).

Zev 16y ago

Read http://borkwarellc.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/learning-iphone-programming/ http://borkwarellc.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/learning-iphone-.... It says exactly what I would say, only is written by someone else.

deleted 16y ago

[deleted]

jnhnum1 16y ago
Look, some people (not me personally) prefer using the iOS platform. The OP may be interested in building apps just for his own immediate benefit. Even if he is looking to make money, Apple's app store is still an extremely viable (and proven) option. I don't think you should be telling him what and what not to learn.
- deleted 16y ago
  [deleted]
- markd2 16y ago
  Hi, I'm the author of the link you replied to. I don't see where I'm telling folks to avoid iOS or get off the app store. Please let me know where I'm unclear and I'll be glad to fix it.

dpio 16y ago

I like this book. http://www.bignerdranch.com/book/iphone_programming_the_big_nerd_ranch_guide http://www.bignerdranch.com/book/iphone_programming_the_big_... I've struggled through other iOS dev books and, for me, this one has been the most clear.

Dnguyen 16y ago

Before "just start building something", I recommend taking some project and start tweaking it to see how/what changes affect the app. Set some break points and trace through to see how the message (selectors) works. This get you used to looking that Objective-C code before you dive in.