Mac Programming for Absolute Beginners

by Wallace Wang

Overview

Want to learn how to program on your Mac? Not sure where to begin? Best-selling author Wallace Wang will explain how to get started with Cocoa, Objective-C, and Xcode. Whether you are an experienced Windows coder moving to the Mac, or you are completely new to programming, you’ll see how the basic design of a Mac OS X program works, how Objective-C differs from other languages you may have used, and how to use the Xcode development environment. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to use elements of the Cocoa framework to create windows, store data, and respond to users in your own Mac programs. If you want to learn how to develop apps with Cocoa, Objective-C, and Xcode, this book is a great first step.

Here are just a few of the things you’ll master along the way:

• Fundamental programming concepts aided by short, easy-to-understand examples
• How to use Xcode and related programming tools to save time and work more efficiently
• A firm understanding of the basics of Objective-C and how it compares to other languages you might know
• How to create simple apps using the Cocoa framework
• How to easily design, write, test, and market your finished program
With this book and your trusty Mac, you’re well on your way to transforming your Mac app ideas into real applications.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781430233367
Publisher:	Apress
Publication date:	01/21/2011
Edition description:	1st ed.
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Wallace Wang is a former Windows enthusiast who took one look at Vista and realized that the future of computing belonged to the Macintosh. He s written more than 40 computer books, including Microsoft Office for Dummies, Beginning Programming for Dummies, Steal This Computer Book, My New Mac, and My New iPad. In addition to programming the Macintosh and iPhone/iPad, he also performs stand-up comedy, having appeared on A&E s "Evening at the Improv," and having performed in Las Vegas at the Riviera Comedy Club at the Riviera Hotel & Casino. When he s not writing computer books or performing stand-up comedy, he also enjoys blogging about screenwriting at his site, The 15 Minute Movie Method (www.15minutemoviemethod.com), where he shares screenwriting tips with other aspiring screenwriters who all share the goal of breaking into Hollywood.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Programming
• Understanding Apple’s Programming Tools
• The Basic Steps to Creating a Mac Program
• Getting Help
• Learning Objective-C
• Making Decisions with Branches
• Repeating Code with Loops
• Understanding the Cocoa Framework
• Manipulating Strings
• Arrays
• Dictionaries and Sets
• Creating Classes and Objects
• Inheritance, Method Overriding, and Events
• Creating a User Interface
• Choosing Commands with Buttons
• Making Choices with Radio Buttons and Check Boxes
• Making Choices with Pop-Up Buttons
• Inputting and Outputting Data with Labels, Text Fields, and Combo Boxes
• Inputting Data with Sliders, Date Pickers, and Steppers
• Using Built-In Dialog Boxes
• Creating Pull-Down Menus
• Designing Your Own Programs
• Working with Xcode
• Debugging Your Program