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Xcode 4 Cookbook
Xcode 4 Cookbook
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 24, 2013
The Xcode 4 Cookbook (by Stephen F. Daniel) is the most misleadingly named titled that I've read in a while. If you're after an Xcode 4 Cookbook and you're planning a little Mac OS X development then, make no mistake, you're in the wrong place. If you're after an iOS Cookbook (that name is already taken hence, I suppose, this title) then read on - this book might be right up your street.
The start of the book isn't, it must be said, all that promising. There are inaccuracies, and the first sections are just plain confusing. For example, despite what the book says, Xcode is not installed in the /Developer folder anymore and Xcode hasn't been installed in the /Developer folder for some years now.
As for the confusion, I can only conclude that Stephen Daniel wasn't entirely certain how to start his book. I sympathise. I wasn't entirely certain how to start this review, and that's a far smaller undertaking. In the beginning the book is tantalisingly vague and introduces concepts without explaining their purpose.
We are told 'It is worth mentioning that, if you set the StatusBar option to None, it does not mean that our application will start without a status bar.' Sadly, it doesn't seem to be worth explaining why this is the case. It is in instances like these that a little more explanation would be nice, especially with regard to what is going on under the bonnet.
Concepts like 'Strong' and 'Nonatomic' are introduced in the first chapter without actually explaining their purpose. Bizarrely, they are introduced in a 'Hello World' program, a program that I had always understood should be as simple as possible. I appreciate and understand the style of an experienced developer, but a newbie needs to be eased in gently. An overly complex 'Hello World' program may dissuade beginners from exploring further. This mish-mash of advanced (well, advanced for 'Hello World') and simple concepts continues with the next section which goes on to explain Compiler Directives. I can't help thinking that a developer who doesn't understand Compiler Directives or 'Hello World' might be starting in the wrong place with this book. In my view, these sections could be - should be - dropped from the text and the book would be all the richer for it.
After this early false start, the book begins to get into its stride of teaching new Xcode concepts. As a developer used to the 'old ways', I found chapter 3's storyboards genuinely interesting. It is all too easy, I find, to get stuck in the rut of what one knows, so I was grateful to be lead by the hand into pastures new. I tried the example (which worked, as one might expect), and it gives me the confidence that if (when) I use this feature in software of my own I shouldn't have too much difficulty.
Similarly, although Instruments is a tool that I use regularly there are many features that I have ignored or not yet discovered. Instruments is not covered in its entirety here, that would probably take a book in its own right, but enough of a taster is provided to encourage seasoned users to explore further and to ensure that the first steps for a beginner are not too onerous.
I thought that I would skip the section on Core Location, merrily ignoring all that it had to say. Core Location, I thought, is not very interesting or relevant to me. But you know what? I read the Core Location section and felt inspired. It makes it seem so easy, and something well presented in this way will often encourage the good ideas to flow thick and fast.
I could go on, but the truth is that this is a fairly weighty book (or would be, if it was paper). The iCloud APIs are covered, as are Multimedia Resources, the formatting and drawing of text and graphics (Core Image), Core Data is covered (which I've used and I'm happy with), as is Game Kit (which I haven't) and Bluetooth. The Facebook SDK section was briefly diverting but, I suspect, pointless. This isn't the fault of the author, rather it is a function of the mutability of the Facebook APIs. With Facebook, what you read today will be deprecated tomorrow - and if you doubt that then I've got a bunch of Facebook developer books that I'd like to sell you.
I liked the section on setting up a Developer account. I had to work this out for myself and, although not too hard, it took longer than I would have liked and I stumbled over a few obvious obstacles on the way.
The typography and layout, at least for the eBook, is generally good although some of the highlighted code didn't format properly on my iPad. The code works and the downloads available on the net should considerably reduce wear and tear on your finger tips. In fact, with this book, an unscrupulous developer could simply rip off the provided code, include a snazzy icon, and shovel it onto the App Store - picking up a few bob on the way. Alternatively, a good developer could use this book as an inspirational and useful tool to learn new tricks and prompt new ideas.
To sum up, nothing here is covered in hugely great detail - but it provides a useful jumping off point to more focussed and in-depth books. The first sections, about ten percent of the book in total, seem a little pointless to me and the name of the book is just wrong. If you're a seasoned developer and what you're after is an iOS Cookbook, a source of inspiration, and a selection of handy tips on tools and features that you might have ignored up to now then don't waste another moment. Go and buy this book now.
The start of the book isn't, it must be said, all that promising. There are inaccuracies, and the first sections are just plain confusing. For example, despite what the book says, Xcode is not installed in the /Developer folder anymore and Xcode hasn't been installed in the /Developer folder for some years now.
As for the confusion, I can only conclude that Stephen Daniel wasn't entirely certain how to start his book. I sympathise. I wasn't entirely certain how to start this review, and that's a far smaller undertaking. In the beginning the book is tantalisingly vague and introduces concepts without explaining their purpose.
We are told 'It is worth mentioning that, if you set the StatusBar option to None, it does not mean that our application will start without a status bar.' Sadly, it doesn't seem to be worth explaining why this is the case. It is in instances like these that a little more explanation would be nice, especially with regard to what is going on under the bonnet.
Concepts like 'Strong' and 'Nonatomic' are introduced in the first chapter without actually explaining their purpose. Bizarrely, they are introduced in a 'Hello World' program, a program that I had always understood should be as simple as possible. I appreciate and understand the style of an experienced developer, but a newbie needs to be eased in gently. An overly complex 'Hello World' program may dissuade beginners from exploring further. This mish-mash of advanced (well, advanced for 'Hello World') and simple concepts continues with the next section which goes on to explain Compiler Directives. I can't help thinking that a developer who doesn't understand Compiler Directives or 'Hello World' might be starting in the wrong place with this book. In my view, these sections could be - should be - dropped from the text and the book would be all the richer for it.
After this early false start, the book begins to get into its stride of teaching new Xcode concepts. As a developer used to the 'old ways', I found chapter 3's storyboards genuinely interesting. It is all too easy, I find, to get stuck in the rut of what one knows, so I was grateful to be lead by the hand into pastures new. I tried the example (which worked, as one might expect), and it gives me the confidence that if (when) I use this feature in software of my own I shouldn't have too much difficulty.
Similarly, although Instruments is a tool that I use regularly there are many features that I have ignored or not yet discovered. Instruments is not covered in its entirety here, that would probably take a book in its own right, but enough of a taster is provided to encourage seasoned users to explore further and to ensure that the first steps for a beginner are not too onerous.
I thought that I would skip the section on Core Location, merrily ignoring all that it had to say. Core Location, I thought, is not very interesting or relevant to me. But you know what? I read the Core Location section and felt inspired. It makes it seem so easy, and something well presented in this way will often encourage the good ideas to flow thick and fast.
I could go on, but the truth is that this is a fairly weighty book (or would be, if it was paper). The iCloud APIs are covered, as are Multimedia Resources, the formatting and drawing of text and graphics (Core Image), Core Data is covered (which I've used and I'm happy with), as is Game Kit (which I haven't) and Bluetooth. The Facebook SDK section was briefly diverting but, I suspect, pointless. This isn't the fault of the author, rather it is a function of the mutability of the Facebook APIs. With Facebook, what you read today will be deprecated tomorrow - and if you doubt that then I've got a bunch of Facebook developer books that I'd like to sell you.
I liked the section on setting up a Developer account. I had to work this out for myself and, although not too hard, it took longer than I would have liked and I stumbled over a few obvious obstacles on the way.
The typography and layout, at least for the eBook, is generally good although some of the highlighted code didn't format properly on my iPad. The code works and the downloads available on the net should considerably reduce wear and tear on your finger tips. In fact, with this book, an unscrupulous developer could simply rip off the provided code, include a snazzy icon, and shovel it onto the App Store - picking up a few bob on the way. Alternatively, a good developer could use this book as an inspirational and useful tool to learn new tricks and prompt new ideas.
To sum up, nothing here is covered in hugely great detail - but it provides a useful jumping off point to more focussed and in-depth books. The first sections, about ten percent of the book in total, seem a little pointless to me and the name of the book is just wrong. If you're a seasoned developer and what you're after is an iOS Cookbook, a source of inspiration, and a selection of handy tips on tools and features that you might have ignored up to now then don't waste another moment. Go and buy this book now.
August 2, 2013
The iOS platform is a large and exciting field. In order to develop on the iOS platform, you need Xcode. Learning to use Xcode on your own can be a challenge. The Xcode 4 Cookbook can help you get familiar with getting tasks done using Xcode 4 and iOS 6. This book takes the approach of “learn by doing”, and dives right into showing you how to create applications that work on the iOS device.
This book presents to you a series of recipes, a short section of step-by-step instructions aimed at accomplishing a specific goal. The book can be read as a textbook or as a reference guide. For those of us with little Xcode experience, starting at the beginning may be the best place to start. With those with previous knowledge of Xcode may find themselves starting on a later chapter.
The content of this book is organized into chapters. Each chapter has a theme, such as integrating your application with Twitter. Each chapter contains many recipes. When read in order, we are shown how you can start from nothing and end with a working application. However, each recipe can be read out of context from the rest of the chapter.
I quite liked how this book was quick to show results. With so much to learn about Xcode, it was great to be guided through actually building an application. For me, trying to learn by reading the documentation was not helpful in giving ideas on how to actually create an application. This book first shows you how to complete the task and then when needed provides links to the Apple Documentation for those who want to learn more about what is being discussed.
There is one downside to quick and easy step-by-step instructions. Sometimes trying to follow a step would not produce the same results the book did. Without additional information I was left to investigate the answer. However, often by simple pressing on and reading additional recipes in the chapter did I finally understand what I had misunderstood before.
The best part about this book is how useful it will be in the long run. I am going to forget how to do some things and not know how to do other things. Instead of trying to search across the Internet for a suitable answer, I can simple look through this recipe book for the recipe I need. A quick read and I find my answer. If I need a code example, the assets that come with the book have the code already set up.
To summarize, this book might not be for everyone. If you are a beginner perhaps you may want to try a beginners guide. However, if you have programmed before, this book can help you learn by doing. The quick access to answers makes this book a great resource to have with you as you venture out and build your own iOS applications.
I did receive a free copy of the book for this review.
This book presents to you a series of recipes, a short section of step-by-step instructions aimed at accomplishing a specific goal. The book can be read as a textbook or as a reference guide. For those of us with little Xcode experience, starting at the beginning may be the best place to start. With those with previous knowledge of Xcode may find themselves starting on a later chapter.
The content of this book is organized into chapters. Each chapter has a theme, such as integrating your application with Twitter. Each chapter contains many recipes. When read in order, we are shown how you can start from nothing and end with a working application. However, each recipe can be read out of context from the rest of the chapter.
I quite liked how this book was quick to show results. With so much to learn about Xcode, it was great to be guided through actually building an application. For me, trying to learn by reading the documentation was not helpful in giving ideas on how to actually create an application. This book first shows you how to complete the task and then when needed provides links to the Apple Documentation for those who want to learn more about what is being discussed.
There is one downside to quick and easy step-by-step instructions. Sometimes trying to follow a step would not produce the same results the book did. Without additional information I was left to investigate the answer. However, often by simple pressing on and reading additional recipes in the chapter did I finally understand what I had misunderstood before.
The best part about this book is how useful it will be in the long run. I am going to forget how to do some things and not know how to do other things. Instead of trying to search across the Internet for a suitable answer, I can simple look through this recipe book for the recipe I need. A quick read and I find my answer. If I need a code example, the assets that come with the book have the code already set up.
To summarize, this book might not be for everyone. If you are a beginner perhaps you may want to try a beginners guide. However, if you have programmed before, this book can help you learn by doing. The quick access to answers makes this book a great resource to have with you as you venture out and build your own iOS applications.
I did receive a free copy of the book for this review.
July 30, 2013
When it comes to the content of this book, I would vote here for something between three and four stars. Why? Well, first off all, the idea of the book is really good. Sometimes, you simply don’t fell like getting through all the details is a right thing to do. Sometimes, all you need is just a quick recipe of how to do things. But, as I said, quick recipes are all you want. And here come drawbacks of some of the recipes in this book. They are simply too long. At some point you just feel like you have lost a track of what’s really happening (e.g. Building iCloud application – this recipe has 50 steps!). Of course, this is just an extremum. On the other hand, you have very useful recipes (very short ones) regarding instrumentation. OK, you just get some basics in case of this topic, but if you haven’t used Instruments never, ever before, it will be just enough.
There is one more thing I haven’t found quite useful. Recipes that focus on building applications. The point here is, that this kind of stuff shouldn’t come into this book in a first place. This kind of approach focuses too much on the overlay architecture rather than on small pieces.
On the other hand, there is a part that I strongly advice to people who are starting their experience with XCode, iOS and all that stuff. That is, “Packaging and Deploying Your Application”. If you try to do it by yourself, it becomes something that you will remember for your life :) And, this is the place where this book should definitely, help you.
For me, personally, this book is not a cover to cover one. I have found here few nice ideas, but I can’t say that all the topics and their explanations where breath takers. Some of there where simply too long, some of them where just right, and some of them really surprised me in a positive way.
One more remark. This book is a typical cookbook, so, do not expect deep and detailed analysis of the topics.
For me, this book is like 3-4 stars.
There is one more thing I haven’t found quite useful. Recipes that focus on building applications. The point here is, that this kind of stuff shouldn’t come into this book in a first place. This kind of approach focuses too much on the overlay architecture rather than on small pieces.
On the other hand, there is a part that I strongly advice to people who are starting their experience with XCode, iOS and all that stuff. That is, “Packaging and Deploying Your Application”. If you try to do it by yourself, it becomes something that you will remember for your life :) And, this is the place where this book should definitely, help you.
For me, personally, this book is not a cover to cover one. I have found here few nice ideas, but I can’t say that all the topics and their explanations where breath takers. Some of there where simply too long, some of them where just right, and some of them really surprised me in a positive way.
One more remark. This book is a typical cookbook, so, do not expect deep and detailed analysis of the topics.
For me, this book is like 3-4 stars.
January 25, 2014
http://bit.ly/13rieON
I've never used Xcode or developed a mobile application, I typically work with C++ and found the syntax to be about the same which was very helpful. Setting up in Chapter 1 was a breeze and incredibly easy following the steps listed presented little challenge, the simulator was a neat addon that is actually priceless. I liked jumping right into user interactions because that's where everything should happen, everything is focused on the end user. I felt the author did a very good job of relaying the information and it was fun building the initial app, if your like me and noticed the 2011 stamp on the source code don't panic everything worked out fine. This book was geared towards experienced users yet going in with nothing I learned a lot from this book. The why it and how sections always rank high for me, it's the best way to keep the reader involved while learning new material.
Lastly the 2nd half of the book is priceless with the social media recipes, if you've navigated their API documentation you can appreciate these sections even more! I wouldn't skip these because getting social is a huge bonus to apps these days. Twitter was pretty easy, Facebook had more things to fill in but overall it was painless using the book as a guide. I enjoyed this book very much and appreciated the learning experience, if your looking to get into iOS development this book is for you!
I've never used Xcode or developed a mobile application, I typically work with C++ and found the syntax to be about the same which was very helpful. Setting up in Chapter 1 was a breeze and incredibly easy following the steps listed presented little challenge, the simulator was a neat addon that is actually priceless. I liked jumping right into user interactions because that's where everything should happen, everything is focused on the end user. I felt the author did a very good job of relaying the information and it was fun building the initial app, if your like me and noticed the 2011 stamp on the source code don't panic everything worked out fine. This book was geared towards experienced users yet going in with nothing I learned a lot from this book. The why it and how sections always rank high for me, it's the best way to keep the reader involved while learning new material.
Lastly the 2nd half of the book is priceless with the social media recipes, if you've navigated their API documentation you can appreciate these sections even more! I wouldn't skip these because getting social is a huge bonus to apps these days. Twitter was pretty easy, Facebook had more things to fill in but overall it was painless using the book as a guide. I enjoyed this book very much and appreciated the learning experience, if your looking to get into iOS development this book is for you!
August 1, 2013
Having never developed a single app for iOS nor Mac OS X I had to ignore the recommendation of knowing some Objective C and give this book a try. Steven F. Daniel has been around Apple stuff for years so I figured he knows his way around. Turns out my hunch was correct and my ignorance turned into bliss.
The book almost effortlessly took me from zero to making something myself within just a few chapters. The one hiccup I had was that the book wasn't updated to reflect deprecated API nor autosythesized properties. Also, had me trying to use COMMAND-then-drag instead of CONTROL-then-drag to create outlet connections. Once I figured those things out everything was a breeze.
Itself, the book can be used as a reference or read from start to finish. External references given do offer valuable additional information unlike those in other books.
Given that this book does deal with iOS 6 rather than iOS 7 I was a bit hesitant. After finding out about the limited API changes in iOS 7 I decided it wasn't enough to hold off buying this book.
I give this 4 stars and I think it was worth buying. I'm half-way through and looking forward to making a cool, useful app. Hopefully others will like it too.
Good place to buy it cheap:
http://www.packtpub.com/xcode-4-cookb...
The book almost effortlessly took me from zero to making something myself within just a few chapters. The one hiccup I had was that the book wasn't updated to reflect deprecated API nor autosythesized properties. Also, had me trying to use COMMAND-then-drag instead of CONTROL-then-drag to create outlet connections. Once I figured those things out everything was a breeze.
Itself, the book can be used as a reference or read from start to finish. External references given do offer valuable additional information unlike those in other books.
Given that this book does deal with iOS 6 rather than iOS 7 I was a bit hesitant. After finding out about the limited API changes in iOS 7 I decided it wasn't enough to hold off buying this book.
I give this 4 stars and I think it was worth buying. I'm half-way through and looking forward to making a cool, useful app. Hopefully others will like it too.
Good place to buy it cheap:
http://www.packtpub.com/xcode-4-cookb...
July 25, 2013
I wanted to fresh up my very rudamentary programming skills with this one. What a waste of time. The code snippeds are wrong and the promised example code to download is not existing anymore. Besides what is explained is explained in a very scattered way. Cannot recommend it at all.
February 11, 2014
Xcode 4 Cookbook is about iPhone and iPad application development. The book goes over all the aspects of the iOs development cycle with Xcode from installing the necessary software to debugging, profiling and finally submitting the final product into the Apple’s App Store. Of course social media, cloud and special hardware features are also covered. The cookbook is written in a very thorough and easy to understand fashion.
Overall I am very positive about this cookbook, but there are some minor points I noticed:
The author has obviously setup Xcode to generate comments automatically for each code file with copyright, a timestamp, his name etcetera. Which is fine and a good engineering practice. I am not sure whether it’s really necessary to include that in a cookbook. And more importantly it seems that the majority of the code was written in 2012.
Some recipes have lots of steps. More than 40 sometimes. It might have been possible to split those up.
Especially in those recipes it might have been useful to have some extra screenshots. I am not saying that the book should have resembled a comic book, but an additional screenshot here and there would have made things clearer.
Overall I am very positive about this cookbook, but there are some minor points I noticed:
The author has obviously setup Xcode to generate comments automatically for each code file with copyright, a timestamp, his name etcetera. Which is fine and a good engineering practice. I am not sure whether it’s really necessary to include that in a cookbook. And more importantly it seems that the majority of the code was written in 2012.
Some recipes have lots of steps. More than 40 sometimes. It might have been possible to split those up.
Especially in those recipes it might have been useful to have some extra screenshots. I am not saying that the book should have resembled a comic book, but an additional screenshot here and there would have made things clearer.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews