Build your first iPhone app

Start Learning iPhone

Setup your computer
Download xCode from the Apple store.

Get familiar with the input/output interface.

Introduction to Programming

Complete chapters 1-4
Read: Chapters 1-4: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”

Follow along with Xcode

Try the chapter challenges (solutions)

Functions, Numbers, and Loops

Complete chapters 5-7
Read: Chapters 5-7: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”

Follow along with Xcode

Try the chapter challenges (solutions)

Pointers and Structures

Complete chapters 8-11
Read: Chapters 8-11: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”

Follow along with Xcode

Try the chapter challenges (solutions)
Determine your app idea
We need to start with the end in mind.
- What are you building?
- Explain your app idea to a 5th grader, which means you'll need to keep things simple and concise.
- Once you nail the idea start sketching how the app will look and function.
- Draw arrows, connect dots, and point out features. A starting point might be images or links that can inspire your app's look and feel.
Start your project
- Add a project cover photo
- Create a 1-2 paragraph description
- Add links to inspriation or app designs
- Add sketches and mockups of your app idea (camera + pen/paper)

Using Objective-C

Complete chapters 12-15
Read: Chapters 12-15: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”

Follow along with Xcode

Try the chapter challenges (solutions)

Custom Objects and Code Files

Complete chapters 16-20
Read: Chapters 16-20: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”

Follow along with Xcode

Try the chapter challenges (solutions)

Memory and iPhone App Basics

Complete chapter 1
Read: Chapter 1: "iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide"

User Interface Design

Read chapters 1-5
Read: Chapters 1-5 in “iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”

Try the exercises in the book
Create your user interface
Create Your iPhone App User Interface (UI)
Use Xcode to design the look of your app.
Share your project
Update your project page, by adding more information and images.

Tip: Use screenshots to show your code (on Mac: Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar.)

Find three other project ideas and post feedback.

Delegates, Lists, and Gestures

Complete chapters 4-7, 9-10
Read: Chapters 4-7, 9-10 in “iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”

Try the exercises in the book
Design your UI
Design the Logic for the User Interface
- Your app should do something useful at this point.
- It might just add numbers and display the result.
Make your app do something
Add functionality to the user interface that you created. You can right click and drag between the UI and code to create connections to actions.
Respond to feedback
Incorporate User Feedback
- Use your feedback to update your app.
- Update the names of your labels or buttons if any caused confusion.
Update your Project Page
- Submit screenshots of your app.
- Update your progress and description.
- Create a YouTube video to demo your app.
Post project feedback
Find three other projects and post feedback.

Upvote your favorite projects.

Additional Resources

Mac Users
1. Install Lion or Mountain Lion (Required)
2. Install Xcode 4.6.2+ (Required)
PC Users (Only)
1. Learn how to use MacInCloud for PC Users in Google Chrome ($20/month)
Recommended books
- $24 - Objective-C Programming: The Big nerd Ranch Guide
- $32 - iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide (3rd edition)
Syllabus Google Doc/PDF
- How to Program iPhone Apps
Recommended Reading
- Read: Chapters 1-4: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
  - Follow along with Xcode
  - Try the chapter challenges (solutions)
Code and Slides
- Zip File
- GitHub: https://github.com/PaulSolt/iPhone
Recommended Reading
- Read: Chapters 5-7: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
  - Follow along with Xcode
  - Try the chapter challenges (solutions)
Code and Slides
- Zip File
- GitHub: https://github.com/PaulSolt/iPhone
Required Reading
- Read: Chapters 8-11: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
  - Follow along with Xcode
  - Try the chapter challenges (solutions)
Code and Slides
- Zip File
- GitHub: https://github.com/PaulSolt/iPhone
Recommended Reading
- Read: Chapters 12-15: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
  - Follow along with Xcode
  - Try the chapter challenges (solutions)
Code and Slides
- Zip File
- GitHub: https://github.com/PaulSolt/iPhone
Recommended Reading
- Read: Chapters 16-20: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
  - Follow along with Xcode
  - Try the chapter challenges (solutions)
Code and Slides
- Zip File
- GitHub: https://github.com/PaulSolt/iPhone
Recommended Reading
- Read: Chapter 20: “Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
  - Follow along with Xcode
  - Try the chapter challenges (solutions)
- Read: Chapter 1: "iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide"
Code and Slides
- Zip File
- GitHub: https://github.com/PaulSolt/iPhone
Topics:
- Starting your iPhone project
- Designing your user interface
- Responding to touch input
- Memory management
Recommended Reading
- Read: Chapters 1-5 in “iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
  - Try the exercises in the book
Code and Slides
- Zip File
- GitHub: https://github.com/PaulSolt/iPhone
Additional Videos
- Watch: “Debugger” - Stanford iPad and iPhone App Development 2011
- Watch: “4. Views” - Stanford iPad and iPhone App Development 2011
Topics
- Delegate design pattern
- Views and view controllers
- Create scrollable lists of content in table views
- Gestures
Recommended Reading
- Read: Chapters 4-7, 9-10 in “iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
  - Try the exercises in the book
Code and Slides
- Zip File
- GitHub: https://github.com/PaulSolt/iPhone
Additional Resources
- UITableView Changes, Tips & Tricks” (App Frameworks - Session 125)
- Navigation Controller: Chapter 12 in “iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
- Gestures: Chapters 19 - 20 in “iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
- Advanced Topics
  - Saving: Chapter 14 in “iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”
  - WWDC 2012 Videos (Requires a free Apple Developer ID)
  - “Adopting Automatic Reference Counting” (Developer Tools - Session 406)
  - “Building, Archiving, and Submitting Your App” (Developer Tools - Session 414)
  - “Integrating With Facebook, Twitter, and Sina Weibo” (App Services - Session 306)
  More Learning Resources
  - Stanford iTunesU iPhone Class - Free
  - Ray Wenderlich’s iPhone Tutorials - Free
  - “Build a Simple iPhone App” - TeamTreeHouse.com ($25/month)
  - “Objective-C Essential Training” - Lynda.com ($25/month - 7 day free trial)
  - “iOS SDK Essential Training (2012)” - Lynda.com ($25/month - 7 day free trial)

Robert Martin

Editorial Assistant, Rain Taxi Review of Books

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