macOS Recommendations for learning code.

[SoApple]

I've been always interested in computers and always wanted to venture myself into code but have never really had the time due to school and work. I finally took a semester off university and am only working part-time. I have a lot of spare time on my hands and was really looking to get into coding.


I was looking for some advice on how and where to get started.

My principle interest is C , C++ , Java and maybe Swift and also learning to design websites.
I'm looking to create apps , nothing too fancy. I'm sure this will take a lot of time to grasp but i'm willing to take the time to learn and practice.

I've seen some nice bundles on sites like StackSocial (Name your own price learn to code bundle) , myedu also offers some nice (but pricy) options.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[runartrollet]

I would really recommend the books Kevin McNeish. They are very well written, intended for newcomers but also for semi-experienced people, coming from other programming-languages. This guy knows what he is talking about, and you learn the best-practices for writing code, not only writing. I have gone through the first 3 books, and really enjoyed them. There is a new one coming for swift in the coming days, which I am looking forward to.

 

[960design]

I don't know anything of your learning style, but maybe something like:
http://www.youthdigital.com/mod-design-1.html

Good luck!

 

[Crocodoc]

There are tons of structured online leraning materials for free that are of an excellent quality. No need to buy book sunless you want to.

http://www.codecademy.com/ <-- Very approachable introduction to web technologies and some scripting languages
http://mindview.net/Books/TICPP/ThinkingInCPP2e.html <-- Very in depth introduction to programming in C++
http://inventwithpython.com/ <-- Create computer games in Python

Google and StackOverflow are your friend. When asking for help, tell people why are you stuck. Not just "I can't do a thing".

I'd suggest giving those links a try, especially Codecademy to begin with. They don't cost a dime so there's no risk.

 

[firewood]

Your local or college library probably has lots of books on beginning programming. Pick one whose style and presentation you like for any language than runs on your Mac (a vast number do), and do lots of the exercises. Or take a course somewhere. After coding seems no longer a mystery, buy a book on iOS or Mac development.

 

[superscape]

I'd suggest that if you're looking to develop Mac or iOS apps then you should concentrate on Objective-C or possibly Swift... unless you have a compelling reason to use another language. If you choose Objective-C then mastering the basics of C is probably a good starting point.

Personally, I'd done quite a bit of programming before I started with Objective-C (PHP, AppleScript, JavaScript, shell scripting etc) but still found it a bit baffling. A three day beginner's course in Objective-C was enough to set me off in the right direction.

After that point, the various tutorials at http://raywenderlich.com were really useful, and for a long time their Obj-C Cheat Sheet was pinned up on the wall in front of me.

We all learn in different ways. Maybe a course, a video or ploughing through documentation will work best for you.

Good luck!

 

[64bit]

I would recommend starting from scratch with Swift. If you want to create apps for iOS/OSX then this is the language that Apple sees as the future. I've been learning/using Objective-C for about 5 years and have a number of apps on the AppStore, and in my experience Swift is so much easier to learn than Obj-C. Start with Apple's iBook and then I'd recommend the upcoming Sams Teach Yourself book:

http://www.informit.com/store/swift-in-24-hours-sams-teach-yourself-9780672337246

Good luck!

I've been always interested in computers and always wanted to venture myself into code but have never really had the time due to school and work. I finally took a semester off university and am only working part-time. I have a lot of spare time on my hands and was really looking to get into coding.

I was looking for some advice on how and where to get started.

My principle interest is C , C++ , Java and maybe Swift and also learning to design websites.
I'm looking to create apps , nothing too fancy. I'm sure this will take a lot of time to grasp but i'm willing to take the time to learn and practice.

I've seen some nice bundles on sites like StackSocial (Name your own price learn to code bundle) , myedu also offers some nice (but pricy) options.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[briloronmacrumo]

Any advice would be appreciated.

There is no quick solution and all options will take work, dedication, practice, patience and learning. My suggestion is to stick with Objective-C and C. Swift is far from mature and sometimes Apple changes their direction ( e.g. just a few years ago everyone was supposed to use garbage collection ). Plus learning Objective-C means learning Cocoa and that will help a lot if you later decide to move to Swift.

There are many free online video training courses but some of the presenters either have marginal coding skills or marginal teaching skills. The content here http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE83F832121568D36&feature=plcp is reasonable and should help most beginners. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE83F832121568D36&feature=plcp