iOS Should I Begin With C++?

[JamesFoote]

I have zero coding skills and in response to my other thread (Best Book for a Complete Starter), Im wondering if I should be starting to learn C++ as my first programming language that will help me lead up to Objective-C.

I am also looking for the best starter book or learning the language. Thanks in advance.

 

[SwampThingTom]

I think you are better off going ahead and starting with Objective C, unless you are planning to use the C++ experience for something else.

Other than abstract object-oriented concepts and some of their common C language heritage, there is very little specific C++ knowledge that will transfer directly to Objective C. And there are enough differences to cause confusion when going from one to the other.

If your primary goal is developing for the iPhone, stick with Objective C.

Tom

 

[JamesFoote]

ok

OK well I'm up for the challenge, no matter how challenging it may be. And yes, my only current priority is to develop for the iPhone.

Does anyone know of any good Objective-c books for complete beginners?

 

[Flowbee]

OK well I'm up for the challenge, no matter how challenging it may be. And yes, my only current priority is to develop for the iPhone.

Does anyone know of any good Objective-c books for complete beginners?

This is the one: Programming in Objective-C by Stephen Kochan.

There's a revised edition coming out in November which covers Objective-C 2.0, but you'll be well served by learning everything in the current edition between now and then.

 

[JamesFoote]

That sounds great! I think I might order that book and if I think I really need it, maybe I'll buy the revised edition once it comes out also.

More feedback would be appreciated.

 

[oldTechie]

Kochan revision delayed

@ JamesFoote

I did the research regarding Objective-C books a few weeks ago, and Flowbee is right, the book to get for a noob is the Kochan book. I was considering waiting for the revised edition of Kochan's book, but I think I'll go ahead and get the 2004 edition. Three months is too long to wait.

 

[keehun]

And then once you get the basics down, get Hillegass 3rd edition (if Leopard) 2nd edition (if Tiger) but you as a developer now should stay up to date with leopard and XCode 3.x (meaning Hillegass 3rd edition)

 

[oldTechie]

And then once you get the basics down, get Hillegass 3rd edition (if Leopard) 2nd edition (if Tiger) but you as a developer now should stay up to date with leopard and XCode 3.x (meaning Hillegass 3rd edition)

That book is arriving from Amazon in my snailmailbox today (as well as "Xcode 3 Unleashed" by Fritz Anderson). I've also been reading that the differences with Objective-C 2.0 will probably affect about 80% of the work you do. If this is true I'll probably get Kochan's revised edition as well.

 

[keehun]

Also, I find that the best way to learn is set a goal and just keep on trying until you meet it. Getting your hands dirty is the best way to learn. Its like child has to fall down and get tons of bruises and scars before they learn the proper gait of running.

 

[oldTechie]

Thanks keehun, I'm of the same mindset.

That sounds great! I think I might order that book and if I think I really need it, maybe I'll buy the revised edition once it comes out also.

More feedback would be appreciated.

James, I also considered buying "The Object-Oriented Thought Process" by Matt Weisfeld. However I found a website with a number of "articles" by Weisfeld (128 pages) that is basically a condensed version of the book.

You can find the index page here

It's quite repetitive and his analogies don't fit well sometimes, but I think it will help me to get a grounding before delving into actual coding.

 

[JamesFoote]

confirmation

Thanks for all of your replies, I think I will go with Kochan's book.

Before I buy though, I want to clarify that I know nothing about coding and how it works. I am a complete beginner.