Objective-C For Dummies [Paperback]

Neal Goldstein (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470522755 | ISBN-13: 978-0470522752 | Publication Date: October 5, 2009 | Edition: 1

Learn the primary programming language for creating iPhone and Mac apps

The only thing hotter than the iPhone right now is new apps for the iPhone. Objective-C is the primary language for programming iPhone and Mac OS X applications, and this book makes it easy to learn Objective-C.

Even if you have no programming experience, Objective-C For Dummies will teach you what you need to know to start creating iPhone apps. It provides an understanding of object-oriented programming in an entertaining way that helps you learn.

• iPhone and Mac apps are hot, and most are created with Objective-C
• Covers Xcode 3.2, which is included in Mac OS X Snow Leopard
• Explains object-oriented programming concepts in a straightforward but fun style that makes learning easy
• Ideal for those with no programming experience as well as those who may know other languages but are new to Objective-C
• Prepares you to start creating iPhone and Mac OS X apps
• Understand Mac programming concepts and patterns, and why to use them
• Bonus CD includes all code samples used in the book

Objective-C For Dummies gives you the tools to turn your idea for an iPhone app into reality.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Learn the language of the iPhone, iPod touch, and Mac OS X — the fun and easy way!

Whether you have worked in another programming language or want to start your programming career withObjective-C, this book is for you! This plain-English guide will get you up and running with Objective-C, the programming language you need to turn a great idea into a cool application. From using the Xcode IDE to adding an interface to knowing how and why to leverage objects, classes, delegation, messaging, and more, this book gets you going.

• Recipes for success — see how a computer program is like a recipe and how the compiler turns your instructions into computer code

• Why X? — get the hang of Xcode 3.2 and Interface Builder, the key Apple developer tools

• Banish bugs — understand the different types of errors your program may encounter and how to eliminate them

• Build your masterpiece — learn about program architecture and how to structure your application so that it can be easily extended with new functionality

• Enter the data — prepare your app to "go live" and process data entered by the user

Bonus CD Includes
All code samples used in the book
Please see the CD appendix for details and complete system requirements.

Open the book and find:

• What object-oriented programming is all about

• The tools you need and how to get them

• How to get a grip on Objective-C syntax

• Debugging tips that can save you time

• How to add a user interface

• Ways to make your programming successful and fun

• What property lists are and how to use them

• How to use dictionaries and arrays

About the Author

Neal Goldstein is a pioneer in object-oriented programming and a master at making cutting-edge technology practical. He leads an iPhone startup that is developing a revolutionary application that will radically change how people can use iPhones to manage information. Neal is the author of iPhone Application Development For Dummies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (October 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470522755
• ISBN-13: 978-0470522752
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Introductory & Beginning

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not that bad at all..., November 10, 2009

By 

Attila Tozser "old computers roxx" (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Objective-C For Dummies (Paperback)

Picked this book as a fairly long shot to re-introduce myself into C++ / OO programming. (Notice: I was a C / assembly / Magic developer between '87 and '97.) With all this background I hoped for some easy (and fun) reading about the latest version of Objective C. Boy, I was wrong... This book is definitely not for the "absolute beginner". Though it runs through all the basic stuff at light speed, it is too dense for someone with zero programming experience.

Now to the good part. If you can work your way through the chapters, spend enough time with actually typing / compiling / running / analyzing those examples, you will have a good basic knowledge of Objective C (and C in general). I have fiddled with XCode for a while, but always ended up using something else for my in-house development needs. Thanks to this book, XCode and Obj C are my friends now.

Verdict: recommended with reservations. Better have some programming experience beforehand, but a good book to bridge the gap between other languages and Obj C.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just returned this book, February 15, 2010

By 

Janet Clarke "Gaijin Girl" (new york, ny) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Objective-C For Dummies (Paperback)

Picked this book because I'm a fan of the dummies series...love having thingS explained from the ground up, in easy simple conceptual terms. I'm no programmer, despite a *very small* amount of BASIC programming about 20 years ago...but I'm good with computers, so I thought this book to be a good choice.

Despite a good start in the first few chapters, this book is *riddled* with copy errors, omissions, typos and changes in object names - all really, really bad things to find in a programming book. I stuck with it through the first 120 pages, and then gave up in disgust. I've since found a few good sites on the web that explain things alot better (like Hot Cocoa", and am hoping that the new Pragmatic Press books out later this year will fill the gap. Sadly, this book has even made me question ever wanting to buy another Dummies book - at least for programming topics.

Stay away from this one!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Objective-C by Dummies (Paperback), March 20, 2010

By 

Mateusz J. Cegiela "mat cegiela" (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Objective-C For Dummies (Paperback)

I have just returned this book and I think it's the first time I've ever done that.

What was the deal breaker?

Well it wasn't the dry monotone voice of the book. Though its not helpful for a close to absolute beginner like me. My last short adventure with programming was with basic 15 years ago. It wasn't the heavy use of programming vocabulary from the start with a very limited explanation of the meaning of the terms used, while not connecting the explanations to any related examples. I found my self constantly leafing back pages to see the difference between and expression and a statement just to get the jest of what is being explained.

It wasn't the example program that is used and expanded throughout the entire book. An accounting utility for travel budgeting. I'm not sure I could think of anything less fun to code.

It wasn't the fact that the author takes an approach where he has you write code and then explain what you did, giving the reader a feeling of being left in the dark.

The deal breaker was the hundreds of typos. I finally gave up on page 131. Where the first paragraph ends with: (I would also need to declare

The next thing you read is the line: That way the functions would operate on the right data.

What Neal Goldstein needed to declare I will never know. There is an errata list online that has a handful of corrections. But there are many, many more throughout the book. This adds to the general feeling of unnecessary confusion and desperation while trying to solve the mysteries of what the author is trying to say.

I studied up on what's around and ordered "Programming in Objective-C 2.0 (2nd Edition) (Paperback)" by Stephen G. Kochan. Hopefully it's a bit better at doing what is says it will.