Mac Programming for Absolute Beginners

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.

What you’ll learn

• Basic programming concepts illustrated with short, easy-to-understand examples
• How to use Xcode and related programming tools
• The basics of Objective-C and how it compares to other languages you might know
• How to create simple apps using the Cocoa framework

Who this book is for

Mac users who want to learn programming or Windows developers who are moving to the Mac OS and iOS platforms. No previous programming experience required.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Understanding Programming
Chapter 2. Understanding Apple’s Programming Tools
Chapter 3. The Basic Steps to Creating a Mac Program
Chapter 4. Getting Help
Chapter 5. Learning Objective-C
Chapter 6. Making Decisions with Branches
Chapter 7. Repeating Code with Loops
Chapter 8. Understanding the Cocoa Framework
Chapter 9. Manipulating Strings
Chapter 10. Arrays
Chapter 11. Dictionaries and Sets
Chapter 12. Creating Classes and Objects
Chapter 13. Inheritance, Method Overriding, and Events
Chapter 14. Creating a User Interface
Chapter 15. Choosing Commands with Buttons
Chapter 16. Making Choices with Radio Buttons and Check Boxes
Chapter 17. Making Choices with Pop-Up Buttons
Chapter 18. Inputting and Outputting Data with Labels, Text Fields, and Combo Boxes
Chapter 19. Inputting Data with Sliders, Date Pickers, and Steppers
Chapter 20. Using Built-In Dialog Boxes
Chapter 21. Creating Pull-Down Menus
Chapter 22. Designing Your Own Programs
Chapter 23. Working with Xcode
Chapter 24. Debugging Your Program