Book Spotlight: Objective C for the iPhone MEAP

So you want to write native apps for iPhone? Mastering the art of Objective C programming should be on your agenda then. If you are interested in starting your career as an iPhone programmer, you need to have a firm understanding of what Objective C is all about. Those who have a background in C are going to be able to pick Objective C up more quickly. But even if you are completely new to this field, the good news is that you are dealing with C, which is one powerful language to deal with. It’s certainly allows you let your imagination fly. Objective C for the iPhone (MEAP) is an exciting book that gets you started on this very topic. Along with last week’s book, Objective C for the iPhone (MEAP) is a very handy book to add to your collection. Manning Publishing has been kind enough to provide iPhoneness readers an exclusive discount code for this book, so don’t forget to take advantage of it (coupon at the end of this article).

The C programming language has been around for quite a while. I was one of the lucky ones who got started in the world of programming with the C language. The language may not be as straight forward or convenient as JAVA, but it’s quite powerful and mastering it is a must for native application developers. Objective C is a little bit different from regular C. In fact, OP (objective programming) can be a bit tough to grasp for beginners. But once you get the basics, there is no reason you can’t go on to master the language and build your own killer apps for iPhone.

Objective C for the iPhone is designed for those who want to learn the foundations of what is needed to write killer native apps for iPhone. The book starts with an example of an app that you can start writing right away. It walks you through the foundations and shows you how to go through the process of building your app. The first chapter is written only to give you a small taste of what Object C programming is all about. The following chapters get you started with C programming and walk you through more advanced topics such as classes, extension, protocols, and even exceptions. So you’ll have all the knowledge you need to write a bug free app.

What I like about this book is the fact that it starts with a simple code and walks you through implementing more complicated concepts in Objective C. Before you know it, you have got practical training in Obj-C. I also love the fact that the author puts emphasis on testing and debugging your code. You can never cut corner in this area. There are a lot of programming books that teach you the basics but jump over areas that one needs to master to become a well-rounded programmer. Bugs are a part of every programmer’s life. But you have a better chance of avoiding major ones by solidifying your programming foundation and debugging your code. Objective C for the iPhone has you covered in this regard. It also provides coverage of memory management, errors and exceptions, so you can write more responsive apps.

In summary, here are some of the more important topics covered in this book:

• Basics of C
• Introduction of Object Programming
• Basics of Classes and Extensions
• Intro to Protocols
• Memory Management Practices
• Handling Errors and Exceptions
• Advanced Debugging

Of course, code examples are included to help you master each chapter more effectively.

Who’s This Book For

This book is designed for anyone who wants to get started with the art and science of Obj-C programming. Whether you are new to this language or just want to get a fast overview of what Obj-C development is all about, this book has a lot to offer. Even if you are familiar with C programming, you can use this book to get your feet wet with iPhone development fast.

Exclusive iPhoneness Coupon

Manning Publishing has been kind enough to provide iPhoneness readers with an exclusive coupon that will save you 50% off on this book. The coupon works for any version of this book. It’s valid from Feb 8th to Feb 10th, so make sure you take advantage of it fast. Checkout code: “iphnss2″

Don’t forget to log on to Manning.com for more powerful development books. In the meantime, we will be covering one more exciting Manning Publishing book next week. Stay tuned.