I started some iOS development from scratch starting in 2010 in May. I wanted to create a talking weather alarm clock and had not done *any* iOS development previously. Yes, I worked with C, but primarily, I've been doing java development for the past 14 years. I was surprised that development was "required" to be (this has since been laxed) in Objective C but was determined to write an app. So off I went to learn.
The time I allotted to this project has been my daily 2.5 hour (round drip) commute. It's not enough time to get into the 'zone' as people bump me (I sit in the first aisle seat closest to the door because it has the most leg room) and disturb my concentration.
Things I needed to learn for this project:
1. Objective C. Objective C isn't a difficult language to learn. The syntax is similar enough to other languages that picking it up is not difficult BUT bracket syntax for dealing with objects is different enough that I have to stop and think when I'm creating a new object.
2. The *vast* iOS api's. Along the way I needed to understand Audio, Animations, NS Core Data Structures, Table Window semantics and threading concepts. There is lots more to learn about the platform and each thing takes time to pickup.
3. Graphics tools, i.e. Adobe Illustrator
4. Sound recording/creating/mixing. I used Garage Band.
While all of these things are not hard by themselves, doing them all yourself is very time consuming and I wished a many times for a partner to help out but that didn't work out as I had expected. Anyone interested on collaborating on my 2nd app?
Now it's march and the app is now in the app store review process. It's taken 2 weeks so far and counting. Once it's available, give it a shot. You can download "snooZe" (it's free :) from the iTunes app store.
If I had to do it again, I would probably use a 3rd party library (which, when I started Apple prohibited from the app store). I've been researching Cocos2d (free), Corona (free to develop, $200 to deploy), and Unity ($$$). I'll write about them in other posts.
The time I allotted to this project has been my daily 2.5 hour (round drip) commute. It's not enough time to get into the 'zone' as people bump me (I sit in the first aisle seat closest to the door because it has the most leg room) and disturb my concentration.
Things I needed to learn for this project:
1. Objective C. Objective C isn't a difficult language to learn. The syntax is similar enough to other languages that picking it up is not difficult BUT bracket syntax for dealing with objects is different enough that I have to stop and think when I'm creating a new object.
2. The *vast* iOS api's. Along the way I needed to understand Audio, Animations, NS Core Data Structures, Table Window semantics and threading concepts. There is lots more to learn about the platform and each thing takes time to pickup.
3. Graphics tools, i.e. Adobe Illustrator
4. Sound recording/creating/mixing. I used Garage Band.
While all of these things are not hard by themselves, doing them all yourself is very time consuming and I wished a many times for a partner to help out but that didn't work out as I had expected. Anyone interested on collaborating on my 2nd app?
Now it's march and the app is now in the app store review process. It's taken 2 weeks so far and counting. Once it's available, give it a shot. You can download "snooZe" (it's free :) from the iTunes app store.
If I had to do it again, I would probably use a 3rd party library (which, when I started Apple prohibited from the app store). I've been researching Cocos2d (free), Corona (free to develop, $200 to deploy), and Unity ($$$). I'll write about them in other posts.
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