iPhone dev ramp-up tips?

[Markbnj]

I just got assigned to an iPhone project, and haven't even looked at Objective-C since the first Bush was president. Have a Macbook on the way, and will be looking into what's available via Apple's dev network this afternoon. Any other tips you guys can offer for good ramp-up resources?

 

[blackdogdeek]

this book helped me out (i got the first book which is just the old version of this book):

http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-iPho...3879246&sr=8-8

 

[KIAman]

Aww exciting times. I've got a project in my queue making an Iphone app and I can't wait!!! I get a new Iphone and a mac development workstation out of it in the process. The Apple developer site has TONS of resources and examples to get you started.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

What are you familiar with? You don't need to develop in Obj-C. If you're a .NET guy, take a look at Monotouch.

 

[Markbnj]

Thanks guys. I'm already registered on the Apple dev network site, and you're right there are a ton of resources. As far as what I am familiar with, my background is all Intel/Windows from 1988 or so on, with a smattering of Linux. C and C++ were what I cut my teeth on, and I was a working C++ dev for almost ten years, though I have been using C# almost exclusively for just about as long now. Objective-C is what I will have to use for this project, so I am already looking it over and wincing at the awkward syntax .

 

[Cogman]

DON'T DO IT!!!

I'll be interested to see how you fair. Apple's "You must use obj-C" thing is retarded IMHO. Having said that, I've never really written anything in Obj-C so I guess I can't bash it too much.

Good Luck

 

[tatteredpotato]

What are you familiar with? You don't need to develop in Obj-C. If you're a .NET guy, take a look at Monotouch.

I'm pretty sure Apple does (or at least can via the TOS) block any app not written in Obj-C.

 

[Cogman]

I'm pretty sure Apple does (or at least can via the TOS) block any app not written in Obj-C.

This I do know. It is against the apple store TOS to install a framework on their phones.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I'm pretty sure Apple does (or at least can via the TOS) block any app not written in Obj-C.

The TOS do specifically preclude this kind of development, but the good news is that Apple still has not acted on this in the Monotouch community. Of course it's a dangerous game to play, Apple is an unpredictable company and who knows when they will start shutting out Monotouch apps.

 

[KIAman]

Thanks guys. I'm already registered on the Apple dev network site, and you're right there are a ton of resources. As far as what I am familiar with, my background is all Intel/Windows from 1988 or so on, with a smattering of Linux. C and C++ were what I cut my teeth on, and I was a working C++ dev for almost ten years, though I have been using C# almost exclusively for just about as long now. Objective-C is what I will have to use for this project, so I am already looking it over and wincing at the awkward syntax .

Yeah, honestly, I got maybe.... 3 weeks worth of playing around with Smalltalk in college. That's as close to Obj-C I got. LOL.

 

[jalaram]

What are you familiar with? You don't need to develop in Obj-C. If you're a .NET guy, take a look at Monotouch.

I was just looking at this since I know a little .NET, but in order to load a program on the actual iPhone, it looks like you need the $399 license.

 

[Markbnj]

I was just looking at this since I know a little .NET, but in order to load a program on the actual iPhone, it looks like you need the $399 license.

We're testing on the emulator that comes with the SDK at the moment, but I have an iPod Touch on order because the push notification service doesn't work with the emulator. Since I have only the free apple dev membership it will be interesting to see if I run into any limitations.

Btw, there was an article in the NYT yesterday about Apple finally coming clean on their app acceptance criteria, that also mentioned they were removing restrictions on third party tools. Not yet sure what that means.

 

[invidia]

I worked as a professional iPhone developer the last 2 years and still do some free time development. Maybe I can give some insight when I was first "forced" to learn iPhone development. Objective-C is a superset of C, but even if you are 20 year veteran at C/C++, the Cocoa Touch API will throw you off completely. The most difficult part is learning and getting adapted to Cocoa Touch API and its syntax. At first glance, it'll look like a different language with all the Cocoa stuff but after a week or so (depending on your learning curve), it'll be easy to use.

Apple's version of the MSDN is the best place for understanding the API. For specific and general questions, go to www.iphonedevsdk.com/. IMO, the iPhone Dev SDK forums have helped me more than Apple's forums. I got most of my answeres there. Specific questions are easily answered via those forums or stackoverflow.com

 

[tatteredpotato]

Btw, there was an article in the NYT yesterday about Apple finally coming clean on their app acceptance criteria, that also mentioned they were removing restrictions on third party tools. Not yet sure what that means.

It must be a pretty big change since Adobe said they were restarting development of their flash packager for iPhone.