iPhone SDK Development (The Pragmatic Programmers)
iPhone SDK Development (The Pragmatic Programmers)
Packing the power of desktop applications into a small mobile device, the iPhone SDK offers developers the ability to create dynamic, visually-appealing, and highly-capable mobile applications, using the same APIs and tools that Apple uses for its own applications.
However, harnessing that power means learning new tools, new APIs, and even a whole new programming language.
iPhone SDK Development is a Pragmatic guide to get you started developing applications for iPhone and iPod touch. With it, you’ll get a complete understanding of the tools and techniques needed to succeed on the platform:
Use the XCode IDE to manage your source code, images, sounds, database files, and other application resources, building your app and deploying it onto your own device for testing.
Develop your user interface the visual, code-free way, with Interface Builder.
Master the iPhone’s unique user interface components, including tables, tab bars, navigation bars, and the multi-touch interface.
Connect your iPhone to the outside world with networking, exploit the power of a relational database with SQLite, and rock out with first-class support for audio and video.
Make use of the iPhone’s unique mobile APIs, like geolocation and the motion-sensing accelerometer
Use XCode’s powerful performance and debugging tools to eliminate memory leaks, zombies, and other hazards.
* Understand the process for packaging your application for end-user distribution through Apple’s App Store.
With explanations of the big picture and an eye to the little details that you’ll need, iPhone SDK Development will help you succeed on today’s most important mobile platform.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Best iPhone/Xcode book out there I know of
I spent some time looking into what books to get when deciding to learn how to build apps for the iPhone. I wasn’t going to get this one as the reviews said it would not be good for new programmers. I am fluent in HTML and CSS, and have dabbled in a few others, but I am a designer not a programmer. I got this book as a gift and I am flying through it. It really holds your hand and goes into detail as to how things work. Personally, I have found it best, starting with chapter 4, to go through each chapter twice. I thought that the Head First iPhone Development would be the book to start with, but it is not. I plan to go through that one next.
Pros:
Great detail. Real explains things well. Gives more depth than other books I have looked at. It points out different ways to do the same things but is a very relevant way. The code can be downloaded and is well documented. Most importantly, you do not need to know Objective C to use this book. It will walk you through it.
Cons:
Black and white images and not enough of them. That is the only thing that made me give it 4 out of 5 stars. Should be 4.5 IMO.
If you want to learn how to make apps for the iPhone with Xcode GET THIS BOOK!
5 Stars Covers everything, but perhaps not for complete newbies
This is a really comprehensive book that covers a good bit more than other books I’ve used. Sufficiently so that I use it as a reference. However, if new to iPhone programming, it’s probably good to get one’s feet wet with one of the less comprehensive books (Beginning iPhone 3 Development: Exploring the iPhone SDK oriPhone Application Development For Dummies are both good) as the code errors (usually omissions) could get to be challenging.
Having said that, there aren’t many omissions, and solving them is a good exercise in itself. The authors give detailed “why” explanations which I found very helpful. There isn’t much wasted space in this book - code is written out once and that’s it. Not many painful attempts at humor. It’s a “get down to business” book and very clear at that.
Probably the best value for money so far of the iPhone development books.
3 Stars first few chapters are good
I can tell the writing style changes after the few chapters and get worse. The first few chapters were wonderful and helped me really understand iphone programming. Then starting in chapter 6, things get sloppy. So, i can’t say the book is good.
5 Stars Clear & Easy
This book is very easy to apply the code snippets (examples) to practical program as well as reading.
And it covers almost practical stuffs for iPhone development such as UI, Controls, Touches, File, Directory, Location, Database, etc.
It’s a good introduction for each topic.
“Clear and Easy”
That’s all, Cool~.
Thanks.
5 Stars More than fifty sample programs written for iPhone SDK 3 offer concrete examples and practical applications
iPhone 3.0 SDK Development is a pick for any library strong in mobile device programming or OS X. It guides programmers through tools and APIs which can be used to create your own software for the iPhone and iPod touch, teaching how to develop a user interface, use Xcode IDE, and create multimedia apps with images, animation and audio and video. More than fifty sample programs written for iPhone SDK 3 offer concrete examples and practical applications.
Filed under: Personal Development Book Reviews