November 21st, 2008

iPhone vs. Android development: Day 5

Posted by Ed Burnette @ 12:15 pm

Categories: Android, Apple, General, Programming, iPhone, iPhone Bootcamp 2008

Tags: Apple iPhone, Web, Note, Channel Management, Marketing, Ed Burnette

Today is the last day of a 5-day course on iPhone programming class led by Joe Conway from Big Nerd Ranch. During the course I’ve been taking notes on how development for the iPhone compares to development for Android. By the way, BNR also offers Android courses if you’re interested.

Judging by all the traffic this week, this is a topic of great interest to readers. Be sure to check out my coverage of the previous days if you missed them, and please leave comments with your thoughts:

[Read: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5]

Yesterday we covered Core Graphics, View Transitions, Core Animation, and the use of the Camera and Accelerometer. Today’s session will cover:

1. Web Services
2. Address Book
3. Preferences
4. Networking
5. Instruments

Ok, let’s get started:

Next: Web Services, Address Book >

November 20th, 2008

iPhone vs. Android development: Day 4

Posted by Ed Burnette @ 2:33 pm

Categories: Android, Apple, General, Programming, iPhone, iPhone Bootcamp 2008

Tags: Apple iPhone, Development, Development Tools, Software Development, Software/Web Development, Ed Burnette

It’s day 4 of a 5-day course on iPhone programming. As before I’ll be sharing my observations from the classroom on how development on the iPhone compares to Android development. The class is presented by Joe Conway from Big Nerd Ranch.

[Read: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5]

Yesterday’s topics included saving and loading data, handling low memory situations, graphics with OpenGL ES, and Multi-touch events. Today’s course will cover:

1. Core Graphics
2. View Transitions
3. Core Animation
4. Camera
5. Accelerometer

Now, on with my notes from the course. At the end I’ll wrap it up with a conclusion section:

Next: Core Graphics, View Transitions >

November 19th, 2008

iPhone vs. Android development: Day 3

Posted by Ed Burnette @ 1:45 pm

Categories: Android, Apple, General, Google, Programming, iPhone, iPhone Bootcamp 2008

Tags: Apple iPhone, Update, Ed Burnette

This is the 3rd in a series of 5 posts about an iPhone programming course I’m taking this week. The course is presented by Joe Conway from Big Nerd Ranch. To make things more interesting I’m writing about how iPhone development differs from Android development, a subject with which I’m more familiar.

[Read: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5]

Yesterday’s topics included localizing applications for natural languages, embedding a web view, controlling stacks and lists of views, and producing sound effects and music. Today’s agenda includes:

1. Saving and Loading Data
2. Low Memory Warning
3. OpenGL ES
4. Textures
5. Multi-touch Events

As before I’ll record my impressions during the day on each topic, and then wrap it up with a conclusion section:

Next: Saving and Loading Data, Low Memory Warning >

November 18th, 2008

iPhone vs. Android development: Day 2

Posted by Ed Burnette @ 2:05 pm

Categories: Android, Apple, General, Google, Programming, iPhone, iPhone Bootcamp 2008

Tags: Apple iPhone, Integer, String, Localizable.strings, Development Tools, Software Development, Software/Web Development, Ed Burnette

Welcome to day 2 of a 5-day course on iPhone programming presented by Joe Conway from Big Nerd Ranch. During the course I’ll be blogging about the differences between Android and iPhone development.

[Read: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5]

Yesterday we learned about creating a simple iPhone application, using Interface Builder, handling user interface events, and Location based services with the CLLocationManager class. Today’s agenda includes:

1. Localization
2. View Controllers
3. Table Views
4. WebKit
5. Sound

Here are some impressions I recorded during each session, followed by a wrap-up of my conclusions for the day:

Next: Localization >

November 17th, 2008

iPhone vs. Android development: Day 1

Posted by Ed Burnette @ 4:30 pm

Categories: Android, Apple, General, Programming, iPhone, iPhone Bootcamp 2008

Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple Xcode, Interface Builder Program, C/C++, Programming Languages, Ooa/Ood/Oop, Java Development Tools, Software Development, Software/Web Development, Development Tools

As I mentioned last week I’ve started learning more about developing for the Apple iPhone. This week I’ll be sharing my experiences during a 5-day course on iPhone programming presented by Joe Conway from Big Nerd Ranch. In particular, I’ll be pointing out differences between Android and iPhone development.

[Read: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5]

I have to preface this by saying that I’m not a big fan of class instruction. Give me a computer and an internet connection and I’m usually happy to find out everything on my own. The down side of this technique is that I sometimes spend a lot of time going off on some interesting tangent that, strictly speaking, isn’t necessary for the task at hand. Classes enforce a linear learning structure, which some people like but I find a bit restraining. There’s something to be said for total immersion in a subject though, in a setting where you won’t be interrupted. So that’s what I’m doing this week.

The first day of classes covered the following topics:

1. Simple iPhone Application — Creating an XCode project, bringing up the Interface Builder, and using Targets, Outlets, and Actions.
2. The Device — Provisioning, setting a default icon, and setting a frozen UI image.
3. Text — Defining the UI, TextViews, TextFields, responder chains, and the virtual keyboard.
4. Delegates — Handling user interface events.
5. Core Location — Location based services.

Here are a few impressions I recorded during each session, followed by a wrap-up of my conclusions for the day:

Next: Simple iPhone Application, The Device >