Mac Programming for Absolute Beginners (Paperback, 1st ed.)

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 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 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