macOS Book Recommendations for a Visual Basic Programmer

[pcguru83]

Hey guys,

I'm interested in getting into some Mac programming as a hobby. I have primarily been a Windows-programming guy, and have a intermediate level experience with Visual Basic .NET and have written several apps using it for my company.

While in college, WAY back in the beginning (like Freshman year) I had a class on C and took about half a semester of C++ the following semester. I'm interested in learning more about the development tools built-in to OS X--namely Xcode and Interface Builder. As of right now, I have not the slightest idea how to use either of these. I do, however, have the basic understanding of programming necessary for some books.

It's also my understanding that these tools are primarily focused on Objective-C, of which I have no experience. Bottom line, I'd like some recommendations for a (some?) book(s) to get to read up on the subject.

I've got my eye on "Beginning Mac OS Programming" by Michael Trent and Drew McCormack. Does anyone have any experience with this particular book? Any other recommendations to get me started?

We're about to take a trip during Thanksgiving to visit my wife's family, so I'm going to have to make a decision quickly so the book can be overnighted from Amazon. Any input soon would be appreciated.

 

[AussieSusan]

Been there, got the T-shirt

......
I've got my eye on "Beginning Mac OS Programming" by Michael Trent and Drew McCormack. Does anyone have any experience with this particular book? Any other recommendations to get me started?

I have this book and I find it very useful. It has a chapter on Objective-C but I think it does not really have enough for you to pick up the language.

I also have james Bucanek's "Beginning Xcode" (Wrox) and "The Mac Xcode 2 Book" by Michael and Dennis Cohen (Wiley).

All of them suffer the same complaint about Objective-C but I became quite familiar with Xcode.

There are a number of threads and references about Objective-C out on the web which can be used to learn a bit more about the language itself.

Susan

 

[pcguru83]

I have this book and I find it very useful. It has a chapter on Objective-C but I think it does not really have enough for you to pick up the language.

I also have james Bucanek's "Beginning Xcode" (Wrox) and "The Mac Xcode 2 Book" by Michael and Dennis Cohen (Wiley).

All of them suffer the same complaint about Objective-C but I became quite familiar with Xcode.

There are a number of threads and references about Objective-C out on the web which can be used to learn a bit more about the language itself.

Susan

Awesome, thanks for the input. Unfortunately, my in-laws don't have access to the Internet , so maybe I'll just pick up a book strictly about Objective-C as well. I appreciate the input, it's nice to hear that this book is at least a good starting point.