Great Price "Programming in Objective-C 2.0 (2nd Edition)" for $26.22 Today
This book is in many ways a gold mine of knowledge. From my college engineering days, I had to learn many computer languages such as Fortran and C++. However, as the old quip goes, use it or lose it.
For years I had wanted to begin programming again because I enjoyed doing so, but the real question remained: What is the optimal approach to do so that would best utilize my prior knowledge AND bridge the gap to todays world of programming in Objective-C? Fortunately for me, I discovered Mr. Kochan's book and it was indeed the bridge that I sought. (Oddly enough, the cover on this book has a bridge on it. Go figure ...)
As most things in life go, the real significance of this book was not obvious at the onset. However, after glancing through the book, it was immediately clear to me that (A): The author took great pains to cover all the nuances of Objective-C in great detail so that anyone could understand them, and (B): The author is more than qualified to illuminate the subject matter and easily educate those that take the time to read his book and work all the examples.
For instance, I had wondered for years what an 'object' actually was that made Objective-C so special as compared to C and C++. Mr. Kochan's car example made this so succinctly clear that I wondered why all the other books I have never even came close to clarifying this important point. The other authors chose instead to define an object in abstract terms (generally speaking) which was not much help at all. Granted, the other books were about Xcode and Cocoa. However, without having a clear understanding as to what an 'object' is, how is anyone trying to learn Cocoa or Xcode going to move forward since 'objects' are both the building blocks and the future of both Cocoa and Xcode?
"Oh, and one more thing". To the unfamiliar, that is Steve Jobs' famous on-stage line when introducing new Apple products or software. A few weeks back I discovered that Mr. Kochan has a web site [...] based on learning Objective-C, - chapter by chapter. Upon making this discovery, I was at once elated to find the site and annoyed that no mention of this was made in the book. Perhaps the book was published before the website was built, but regardless this website is an INVALUABLE resource for learning Objective-C. And, from experience, Mr. Kochan will respond to your queries and comments within a day and oftentimes, within a few hours. How he does this, I have no idea, but he does.
My book did not come with a video CD, so I cannot comment on that. Speaking only for myself, I prefer a book over a video because I can re-read any part of a book much easier than I can a video. The web site does have video content for those so interested.
And least anyone wonder, I have absolutely no connection to Mr. Kochan. Period. But, I will forever be grateful to him for writing this book and creating and participating in his website. Both are indispensable sources for learning Objective-C.
Bottom line: I cannot recommend this book highly enough to those wishing to begin programming in Objective-C or to those who have past programming experience and wish to learn Objective-C. At twice the price, this book would still be a steal.
Programming in Objective-C 2.0 (2nd Edition) Features
- ISBN13: 9780321566157
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Rating : 
Price : $44.99
Offer Price : $26.22
Programming in Objective-C 2.0 (2nd Edition) Overviews
THE #1 BESTSELLING BOOK ON OBJECTIVE-C 2.0
Programming in Objective-C 2.0 provides the new programmer a complete, step-by-step introduction to Objective-C, the primary language used to develop applications for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac OS X platforms.
The book does not assume previous experience with either C or object-oriented programming languages, and it includes many detailed, practical examples of how to put Objective-C to use in your everyday iPhone/iPad or Mac OS X programming tasks.
A powerful yet simple object-oriented programming language that’s based on the C programming language, Objective-C is widely available not only on OS X and the iPhone/iPad platform but across many operating systems that support the gcc compiler, including Linux, Unix, and Windows systems.
The second edition of this book thoroughly covers the latest version of the language, Objective-C 2.0. And it shows not only how to take advantage of the Foundation framework’s rich built-in library of classes but also how to use the iPhone SDK to develop programs designed for the iPhone/iPad platform.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
Part I: The Objective-C 2.0 Language
2 Programming in Objective-C
3 Classes, Objects, and Methods
4 Data Types and Expressions
5 Program Looping
6 Making Decisions
7 More on Classes
8 Inheritance
9 Polymorphism, Dynamic Typing, and Dynamic Binding
10 More on Variables and Data Types
11 Categories and Protocols
12 The Preprocessor
13 Underlying C Language Features
Part II: The Foundation Framework
14 Introduction to the Foundation Framework
15 Numbers, Strings, and Collections
16 Working with Files
17 Memory Management
18 Copying Objects
19 Archiving
Part III: Cocoa and the iPhone SDK
20 Introduction to Cocoa
21 Writing iPhone Applications
Part IV: Appendixes
A Glossary
B Objective-C 2.0 Language Summary
C Address Book Source Code
D Resources
Customer Review
All programming instructional books should be written this way - Interpol - Los Angeles, CA
I'm currently only 4 chapters into the Kindle version of this book and so far I can honestly say I've been able to learn more about Objective C than any other book. I have a background in computer science and have learned various programming languages such as BASIC, Pascal, LISP, Scheme, Java, even assembly - but I never got around to learning C or any of its variants. I've consumed many instructional books on programming and can honestly say that this one is the most well-written and easily comprehensible out of all of them. The author takes great care to explain virtually every aspect of Objective C syntax and does it in a way that's comfortable for both neophytes as well as those who have had some prior programming experience.
Additionally, the Kindle version of this book is done very well, easily readable on the Kindle device or an iPad (I've been reading it on both). When it's displayed on the iPad (with the Kindle app), you also get the additional benefit of color illustrations. Although I have a long way to go in this book, I can already say that I will have no problem reading it on my PC, my Kindle, or my iPad.
If you're interested in developing apps for the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, start with this book to give yourself a decent understanding of the Objective-C language, and THEN read the more iPhone OS-specific programming books such as "Head First iPhone Development" and "iPhone Application Development for Dummies". I tried to start with the Head First book and pretty much went nowhere with it until I started reading "Programming in Objective-C 2.0". Now concepts are starting to come together and I'm excited about what I can start doing with the iPhone SDK.
A pick for any advanced developer's library - Midwest Book Review - Oregon, WI USA
The second edition of Programming in Objective-C 2.0: A Complete Introduction to the Objective-C Language for Mac OS X and iPhone Development is a pick for any advanced developer's library. It tells of a language that has become the standard for application development on the Mac OS X and iPhone platforms, and provides new programmers with step-by-step introductions to its language and use. This second edition has been updated and expanded to cover Objective C 2.0 and is a pick for any developer's collection.
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