iPhone Application Development For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) [Paperback]

Neal Goldstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0470487372 | ISBN-13: 978-0470487372 | Edition: 1

Here's the fun and easy way to learn how to create your own iPhone applications

Whether you're a professional developer or an iPhone user with a knack for technology, this plain English guide shows you how easy it can be to create your own cool iPhone and iPod touch apps. The open iPhone SDK offers a world of opportunities, and with the information in iPhone Application Development For Dummies, you can get in on the fun and profit.

You don't need high-level programming skills to create iPhone apps. iPhone Application Development For Dummies walks you through the fundamentals for building a variety of applications using Objective-C and covers the critical steps for creating applications that get accepted into the AppStore.

• Apple's open SDK for the iPhone allows any developer to create iPhone applications
• This guide helps you develop new applications for use on your own iPhone or for release to other iPhone and iPod Touch users
• Covers small and large-scale application development
• Shows how to develop usingObjective-C
• Enables both novice and experienced programmers to leverage the marketing power of the open iPhone SDK

The iPhone is the hottest smart phone around, and with iPhone Application Development For Dummies, you can create cool new apps to make it even more exciting.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Create cool apps for your iPhone and distribute your creations to others

Even if you're not an experienced programmer, you'll be delighted to see how easy it is to build applications for the iPhone. All you need is an idea and a little bit of programming knowledge — and this book, of course. Here, step by step, is how to develop apps using Objective-C. Let's begin!

• What is this thing? — get the full view of what the iPhone was designed to do, what users want it to do, and what you have to work with

• Get your credentials — sign up to be a registered iPhone developer and explore the SDK

• Load your toolbox — use the Xcode IDE: Interface Builder, iPhone Simulator, code editor, and debugger

• Make it happen — set up your first project, set up the user interface, and implement view controls

• Fine-tune your application — with content views and custom navigation buttons

• Give it life — take your creation out of the simulator and follow all the proper steps to install and run it on your iPhone

• Go big-time — compile your app for distribution and learn how to distribute it through the App Store

Open the book and find:

• How iPhone applications actually work

• What makes a great iPhone app

• How to use design patterns

• All about nib files

• What goes into a good interface for a small device

• How to easily access iPhone documentation

• Tips for managing memory

• How to provide maximum functionality

About the Author

Neal Goldstein is a recognized leader in making state-of-the-art and cuttingedge technologies practical for commercial and enterprise development. He was one of the fi rst technologists to work with commercial developers at fi rms such as Apple Computer, Lucasfi lm, and Microsoft to develop commercial applications using object-based programming technologies. He was a pioneer in moving that approach into the corporate world for developers at Liberty Mutual Insurance, USWest (now Verizon), National Car Rental, EDS, and Continental Airlines, showing them how object-oriented programming could solve enterprise-wide problems. His book (with Jeff Alger) on objectoriented development, Developing Object-Oriented Software for the Macintosh (Addison Wesley, 1992), introduced the idea of scenarios and patterns to developers. He was an early advocate of the Microsoft .NET framework, and successfully introduced it into many enterprises, including Charles Schwab. He was one of the earliest developers of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), and as Senior Vice President of Advanced Technology and the Chief Architect at Charles Schwab, he built an integrated SOA solution that spanned the enterprise, from desktop PCs to servers to complex network mainframes. (He holds three patents as a result.) As one of IBM’s largest customers, he introduced them to SOA at the enterprise level and encouraged them to head in that direction. He is currently leading an iPhone startup that is developing an application to help minimize the cost (and pain) of global travel for both leisure and corporate travelers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (May 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470487372
• ISBN-13: 978-0470487372
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Computers & Technology > Apple > Home Computing & How-to > Mac Computers & Hardware

More About the Author

Neal Goldstein currently has 8 applications in the App Store including a series of Travel Photo Guides (travelphotoguides.com) developed with his partners at mobilefortytwo and Digital Field Guides developed in partnership with John Wiley. He also has cool little free app called Expense Calendar which allows you to keep track of things like expenses, mileage, and time by adding them to your calendar.

He a recognized leader in making state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technologies practical for commercial and enterprise development. He was one of the first technologists to work with commercial developers at firms such as Apple Computer, Lucasfilm, and Microsoft to develop commercial applications using object-based programming technologies. He was one of the earliest developers of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and holds three patents as a result.)

Since you can never tell what he'll be up to next, check regularly at his website @@md nealgoldstein.com.i

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

169 of 178 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Books, Books, Everywhere and not one worth a thin dime. June 1, 2009

By Wayne Leinen

Format:Paperback

Except for Mr. Goldsteins...iPhone Application Development For Dummies
I have been writing software packages for the PC market since 1979 and I teach programming at the college level. Being a PC (Microsoft) person the iMac and iPhone are new to me. However, I fell in love with the iPhone and decided to purchase everything I could on the subject of writing Apps for it. First I had to get a handle on the iMac so I went out a bought one - a very slick machine.

Then came the shock - I don't know the first thing about the iMac, iPhone, cocoa, xcode or Objective-C. The selection of books came next. O my God, I guess there's no such thing as a straight "How to do it" book anymore. After spending over $ 750 on books for both platforms, I didn't get any closer to my goal. All the available books were written for experienced Apple programmers - they also started teaching development in the wrong direction - write code, write code, write code then work on the interface.

Anyone who developed Apps with Microsoft's ".Net" platforms learned to build the interface first - then code the events. This is how "iPhone Application Development for Dummies" leads you through the process of developing Apps. Every step is explained in simple terms and reinforced by example. If you want to get a handle on writing Apps for the iPhone this "For Dummies" book is the only one you need to purchase. Everything else is on Apple's iPhone developers Web site.

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding resource for learning how to program on the iPhone May 11, 2009

By Eli

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I got this book this past Friday (May 8, 2009) and so far I have already devoured 5 chapters! I have tried reading, studying and learning how to program on the iPhone from other sources but found them to be over the top or just too complicated. Also the amount of material already on the subject can be overwhelming. iPhone Application Development has made learning the ins and out of the iPhone Framework, environment, programming concepts, design, etc easy and accessible to grasp and learn. The author does an exceptional job in explaining difficult concepts easy to follow and understand. He will walk you through this process from the beginning!

I highly recommend this book to anyone considering learning how to program on this amazing device called the iPhone! Before you read any other book on the subject save yourself a lot of frustration by reading this book first. You'll be glad you did! Can't wait to continue learning from this book and looking forward to building my first iPhone app and contributing to the richness and the wealth already available and accessible for the iPhone.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent starting point! May 18, 2009

By Thomas J. Jennings

Format:Paperback

This book is a excellent primer to understanding iphone app development. I tried other "beginner" books (before this was released) and was dismayed at their complexity. This book starts at the beginning and gives you a sound foundation. I am a fair PHP, javascript programmer. This is my first foray into Mac/iphone apps. One thing I really like about the book is that the Mr. Goldstein builds code using the interface builder. Using the interface builder makes complex coding much easier.

I heard he is writing other books on objective-C and a more detailed iphone book apps ... I can't wait!