IPhone developer Roadmap

Recently, I have seen a lot of websites outside China, and I want to summarize and share some things during my study. This article is clear and clear, so it took two hours to translate and adapt it. There are links to some websites and books involved in the internal text. In addition, you can go to the original ebook for the introduced books and send them again when I have time. I hope to help you.This article was originally translated and adapted by dososo. You are welcome to reprint it. Please specify the author and address source.

Where should I start?

In today's world, it is fun and valuable to be an iPhone developer. But there is a problem: this seems not so easy to implement. Even experienced programmers have encountered great challenges in developing applications for mobile terminals. When you are about to start, you need to learn new things: xcode, interface builder, and cocoa touch framework (frameworks), objective-C programming language, and other technologies included in the iPhone SDK. If you try to learn them at the same time, it may make you feel that these things are a little aggressive (a tad overwhelming ).

So where should I start learning how to create an iPhone program? Okay, depending on the actual situation. There has never been an article, book, video tutorial, or training course that suits everyone. You need to be honest and choose the right resources based on your current skill level. Here are some ways to help you get started:

• In general, if this is your first attempt to program, we recommend that you start from the basics of programming.
• If you are already an experienced programmer but you have only started on Mac, start learning from Developer Tools, objective-C, and cocoa.
• If you can program on Mac very freely, please immediately start creating your iPhone program.
• Finally, if you have created a basic iPhone, it's time to make it shine!

Not a programmer? It may seem so simple to create an iPhone program from scratch, but it is just an illusion that it is always challenging for experienced programmers. Many people underestimate the difficulty. If you are not a programmer, but have a good iPhone creative idea, working with some experienced iPhone developers may allow your creativity to enter the market more quickly. One way is to work with good developers through our work board.

Basic Programming)

Object-Oriented programming is a computer programming form that uses concepts such as classes, objects, methods, and inheritance. Object-oriented Programs also use a large number of traditional process-oriented programming concepts, such as variables, loops, and conditional statements.

Objective-C is an object-oriented programming language that you can use to create iPhone programs. It is similar to other programming languages in many aspects, but it has many distinctive features in many aspects.

#1 if you are a beginner in programming, we recommend the following books to learn:

Entry to Mac programming: Objective-C and cocoa Development (Beginning Mac programming: develop with objective-C and cocoa)
This book is prepared for someone who has little or no programming knowledge. It introduces you to object-oriented programming principles and rules, and introduces objective-C and cocoa framework programs in easy-to-understand languages. You can learn how to start using development tools.

If you are ready to use development tools

The iPhone software development kit (SDK) is a free set of objective-C frameworks and tools that allow you to create applications for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. It also contains the iPhone/iPad simulator, which can run programs on your Mac during development.

Xcode is a programming development kit for Mac and iPhone, which is included in the iPhone SDK.

Interface builder is a visual tool used to design and test the iPhone user interface (UI. You need to work with xcode. It is also included in the iPhone SDK.

The apple developer Alliance (ADC) is an official resource support for all Mac and iPhone development.

Mac is a directly recognized development platform, so you have reason to buy one. Seriously and seriously, all tools can only be used on Mac. You must have an Intel processor Mac computer to develop iPhone programs. Of course, the good news is that once you have a Mac, all development tools are free of charge.

#2 download xcode, interface builder, and iPhone SDK:

You need to register as a member of the apple development alliance or an iPhone developer so that you can download the latest SDK version. Members of the apple developer alliance are free of charge and have many benefits. If you do not want to become a member, you can register only one account.

• The latest SDK can beHttp://developer.apple.com/iphone/Download. Of course, the latest versions of xcode and interface Builder are included in the SDK. One download meets all your needs.
• Once you want to apply to test and release programs on a real machine in the App Store, you must submit an application to the iPhone developer program. Individual developers need to spend $99/year for authorization, and company organizations need to spend $299/year for authorization.

#3 it may be a little difficult to get started with xcode and interface builder. We recommend that you watch the following video tutorials before you prepare to add the encoding:

Gradually proficient in xcode (Becoming productive in xcode)

This video series has two parts. It teaches you how to use xcode in an effective way, therefore, you will spend a little time on the feeling of being frustrated, and more time on your application.

Xcode and interface Builder (Getting started with xcode and interface Builder)
Watch for free. The 22-minute introduction video in Part 5 teaches you how to get started with interface Builder (download, 22 minutes)

#4 You can also watch Apple's free video

Spend some time in the iPhone developer Center (IPhone Dev Center) Watch the "Getting Started video ". In these free videos, Apple experts will discuss any getting started knowledge about the iPhone SDK and tools and technologies for creating the iPhone program. They are all very good resources!

Learn objective-C and cocoa

Objective-C is the primary object-oriented programming language for Mac and iPhone development programs. However, this is just a general programming language. To build a richer program, you need some library files to help you do many important tasks.

Cocoa is a set of objective-C frameworks (library files) created by Apple and can develop programs for Mac. Cocoa touch is based on cocoa, but it is only used in the development of iPhone or iPod Touch specific mobile apps that look similar. When you need to develop a graphic, event-based iPhone or iPad program, cocoa touch provides all the core user interface components.

#5 if you have a programming background but you are new to the objective-C language, we recommend that you watch the following video Tutorials:

Objective-C Programming video (Coding in objective-C screencasts)

This video series consists of three parts: an overview of the main features of objective-C and the core concepts of object-oriented programming. You can also learn how to manage memory (especially on the iPhone !) You can use the xcode debugger to quickly identify and solve problems.

#6. Once you have learned objective-C, you have to deal with cocoa. We recommend that you learn the following books:

Cocoa programming: developer quick query manual (Cocoa programming: A quick-start guide for developers)

This article gives you a better understanding of MAC cocoa principles and IB development. The iPhone SDK also uses many similar theories. Good cocoa application knowledge is of great benefit to you. You can use the tool's Manual experience to perform interesting exercises to understand the syntax and basic cocoa concepts, such as target/action and delegate ).

#7Join the cocaheads discussion group:

CocoaheadsIs a cocoa framework programming discussion group focused on Mac OS X (including iPhone) systems on Apple computers. Cocoaheads discussion groups can meet local people and people from around the world! If you cannot find a group near you, open a new group.

Create your iPhone app

It is exciting to apply all of these together for the first time. The basic learning here is really worth it. When you understand the language, library files, and tools, you can turn your ideas into reality.

#8 if you like to be an experienced person, you can use the iPhone example program of apple for testing.

Apple provides a large number of iPhone example programs. Download the source code and run it on your iPhone simulator. Start the experiment. Reading the code is a great way to consolidate the learned objective-C and cocoa. You can also use these sample code designs to inspire your development.

#9 many books about iPhone development are available everywhere. Some recommendations are listed here.

IPhone SDK Development (IPhone SDK Development)

This is a very practical guide for you to use tools and APIs to create your own software for iPhone and iPod Touch. There are a large number of useful cases. This platform provides the "key" concept and daily "what needs to be understood" details to maximize the use of the iPhone OS platform to meet developers' needs.

IPhone development entry: Exploring the iPhone SDK (Beginning iPhone development: refreshing the iPhone SDK)

This book is based on how to build your first program. Here, you will learn how to apply all aspects of your program.

#10 subscribe to the email list or join the Forum

Ask questions about iPhone developers (Apple developer forums) Is the best place, but please use what you have learned to answer others' questions.

#11 continuously learn iPhone development tips, tips, or techniques that can be used immediately.

Studio bonus tracksIs a free video course on tips and skills in practical applications. Each video is very short and lean, focusing only on one technology so that you can quickly use it in your program.

Make your program more exciting!

Memory Management is particularly important in iPhone development because resources are constrained. Although objective-C 2.0 has a garbage collector, it is not applicable to the iPhone. Therefore, if you write an iPhone program, you must manage your memory.

Core animation is a set of graphics rendering, projection, and animation libraries encapsulated in the objective-C language. It will add surprising elements to your iPhone program. Even if it is not so cool, it can also improve the user experience, so that you can stand out in a bunch of applications.

Core data is a set of design tools and APIs for persistent data storage of iPhone applications.

#12 before you submit your program to the App Store, you must describe the memory usage and correct any performance problems. This video teaches you how:

Video #2: Memory Management (Screencast Episode #2: Memory Management)

In this section, you will learn how to use tools to locate and correct various common problems in objective-C in memory management.

#13 core data provides a simple solution for data modeling and persistence on the iPhone:

Core Data: APIs for data persistence in Mac OS X (Core Data: Apple's API for persisting data under Mac OS X)

This book starts from core data to expert-level configuration, and you cannot find it anywhere else.

#14 participate in the Apple world Developer Conference (WWDC)

Apple world Developers Conference (WWDCIs an annual major event, from which you will learn and learn about the latest and greatest development of iPhone OS and Mac OS X. It seems to be a little costly, but it's all worth it if you use iPhone development as your way of making a living.

#15 consider adding amazing animation effects to your program using core animation. This book teaches you how:

Mac OS X and iPhone core animation applications (Core animation for Mac OS X and the iPhone)

This comprehensive guide will allow you to quickly and deeply dive into core animation.