Objective-C Programming

Want to write applications for iOS or the Mac? ¿This introduction to programming and the Objective-C language is the first step on your journey from someone who uses apps to someone who writes them.

Based on Big Nerd Ranch's legendary Objective-C Bootcamp,¿this book covers C, Objective-C, and the common programming idioms that enable developers to make the most of Apple technologies.

This is the only introductory-level book written by Aaron Hillegass, one of the most experienced and authoritative voices in the iOS and Cocoa community.

Compatible with Xcode 4.2, iOS 5, and Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion), this guide features short chapters and engaging style to keep you motivated and moving forward. At the same time, Aaron's determination that you understand what you're doing—or at least why you're doing it—encourages you to think critically as a programmer.

Here are some of the topics covered:

Programming basics: variables, loops, functions, etc.
Objects, classes, methods, and messages
Pointers, addresses, and memory management
Using Xcode, Apple's documentation, and other tools
Classes from the Foundation framework
ARC and retain cycles
Properties
Blocks
Categories
Delegation, target-action, and notification design patterns