Objective-C and iOS Programming

Well, have finally got around to working on learning Objective-C and iOS programming.  And wow - it is totally different to any language I have eve r used.  Sure, I've written a program in C++ before, but this is totally different.  I must say that learning to program for Android, BlackBerry or Windows is far, far easier than this.  Still, I love a good challenge.  And since I've found some wonderful tutorials over at RayWenderlich.com it has been a bit easier.  I guess I'm still coming to grips with how to link everything together.  I can get the rest of it fairly easily but linking things to each other and where to put certain things is still troubling me.  What's more annoying is that Objective-C has three different ways of doing things.

The first is using square brackets: [someThing someParameter:value].  Then you have this someVariable=(variableType *)someInitCode.  And finally the old school someVariable.someAttribute.  Trying to figure out which one to use and when is confusing.  At least at the moment.  So while I'm learning, I'm writing a small app that I first started when trying to learn Android.  I got stuck with Android as I couldn't figure out how to use a TableView with multiple elements in each row.  Should be a fairly easy and common task but I couldn't find out how to do it!  With iOS, it's a piece of cake.

Anyway, enough of this for now.  Time to get back to cooking!

Using Apple

Well, I haven't got around to learning iOS programming... yet.  I've been too busy with my DJ practice and working on a private Access/MySQL project.  I have to admit I have been a bit remiss on this project.  I was supposed to have been working on it while the other developer was away.  I've only just picked it up but I am happy to say that I've had a smashing weekend and have caught up to where I was supposed to be well before the other dev gets back from holidays.

I am developing this application in a Windows Virtual Machine running in Parallels for OSX while the MySQL database is running natively on the Mac.  I could just as easily have had the database running totally within the VM but at least this way the Access front end really is communicating over a network instead of just to the local machine.  I'm loving the screen on the Mac - part of the reason it took me so long to get around to working on this was the fact hat I was waiting for the Mac to arrive and then to get it setup so I could work this way.  Now that it is, it's a dream.  If I wanted to, I could even enable "Coherence" mode so that the Access window appears as just another Mac window without the Windows Desktop getting in the way.  However I've found that this is rather slow when switching or displaying dialog windows/pop-up forms.  Staying in the default full-desktop view has turned out to be the best way.

Overall, pretty pleased with where the app is up to and how the Mac is working.  That's all for now.  Might post some screen shots once it's past the testing phase.

Ciao
Gazman

Learning Apple

Well, it's finally here - my new, brushed aluminum Apple Mac Book Pro.  I went for the 15" screen with a 500GB 7200 RPM hard drive, 2 GHz Core i7 processor and 4GB RAM.

I have had some experience with OSX, which is good.  I think if you were coming straight off Windows and not being a technically minded person it would be rather difficult to get your head around some of the concepts Apple uses. 

I've developed my first application (well, OK I just followed the 'Your First iOS Application' guide from Apple...) and I can say that Objective-C is rather hard to get your head around.  Especially if you're coming from a Microsoft/Java world.  However, designing the interface leaves both Android and BlackBerry so far behind it is not funny.  Designing the interface in the Apple IDE (XCode) is a dream.  It's a true drag-and-drop WYSIWYG experience.  I suppose if you were coming from a web design mindset, Android and BlackBerry with their XML layout files would seem more familiar but honestly - in this day and age, THIS is the way it is supposed to be.  I don't want to have to guess which particular properties apply to the control in this particular instance.  I just want to drag, drop and click a few buttons to set them.

In XCode, it really is just so easy.  Until I try to get my hear around the way Apple likes their iOS apps laid out (code-wise and UI-wise).  From my initial impression, it is not really like Android or BlackBerry.  Very strange.  Going from Android to BlackBerry, it was amazing how similarly they laid out their applications and the way you coded to switch between views/pages/forms/whatever.  Apple, well... Apple is different.  But I'm enjoying it.  Just got to spend the time to read the mountains of documentation.  And you really do have to read these, unlike Android and BlackBerry.

Anyway, I'm off for some dinner and then some 'light' reading before bed.

Ciao
Gazman

Apple Time

Well, I've finally done it.  I've decided to get my hands on an Apple MacBook Pro.  I'm going for a 15" with a 500GB HDD.  All up, I'm looking at around $2,300 for this.  As I don't have that sort of cash lying around, I'm getting it on finance.  So hopefully I'll be getting a call saying "your application is approved.  We now own your soul." from the finance company.
With the MBP,I'll be able to start development on iPad/iPhone applications.  I can also use it for my DJ'ing (See DJ Adumbration on this site).

Ciao for Now.

Welcome to Gazman

Welcome to Gazman Developments!  I work on developing applications in my spare time primarily as a way to learn new things and build applications that I use on a day-to-day basis.  So before I publish my applications to the web, I have used them and continue to use them on a daily basis.

While I am usually very busy with my full time job and post graduate study, I will endeavour to respond to any issues reported to me in a reasonable time frame.