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Ask HN: Resources for learning iOS development in 2013

by kfullert on 4/23/13, 8:02 PM with 10 comments

• by callmeed on 4/23/13, 10:07 PM

  First off, I have some small side iOS projects coming down the pipeline so if you're interested in helping a bit, get in touch.

  Also, storyboards are really powerful and can save you a lot of time once you learn them.

  I'm mostly a Rails/Ruby dev as well but am doing more iOS. My recommended resources are:

  1. BIG Nerd Ranch book (best book IMO) http://www.amazon.com/iOS-Programming-Ranch-Guide-Guides/dp/...

  2. Programming iOS (5|6) by Neuburg (either version is fine) http://www.amazon.com/Programming-iOS-6-Matt-Neuburg/dp/1449...

  3. Ray Wenderlich blog and tutorials bundle (worth the money) http://www.raywenderlich.com/store/ios-5-and-ios-6-by-tutori... His storyboard tutorials are great

  4. NSScreencast (think RailsCasts for iOS. Not as thorough yet, but worth the money) http://nsscreencast.com/

  5. Do a week-long, in person class such as http://pragmaticstudio.com/ios if you can afford it

  ---

  Other than that, I really haven't run into issues I couldn't figure out via Stackoverflow or Apple's docs/samples.

  The real issue for me was wrapping my head around the frameworks and understanding how it differs from Rails/web world. You might find it helpful to just take a week off and bury yourself in it. Try and pick a very simple (but useful/functional) app you can build and ship in a couple weeks. Give yourself a deadline and do it.

• by colemorrison on 4/23/13, 8:26 PM

  So, I know its probably odd, but I tend to favor video resources when picking up a new language. My process tends to be to go through a great overview series that hits the high concepts, and then use books + internet as a reference for improvement.

  For IOS and Obj-C there is one absolute winner for me:

  Simon Allardice's Obj-C and iOS courses http://www.lynda.com/Simon-Allardice/21-1.html

  He is by far the most thorough and entertaining bald, british, programming teacher ever. Granted, he focuses on the core essentials, but that's generally what you need anyway.

  Hope this helps!

• by rdouble on 4/23/13, 8:36 PM

  Apple's own tutorials and videos are quite good. They are available once you become a paid ADC member.

  Hillegass's book is what most people use, but it's slightly dated at the moment. I actually prefer Ray Wenderlich's material these days. Once you get advanced, Mike Ash's Friday Q&A is a great resource.

  Video wise, the Stanford iOS course on iTunes U is great, but I'm not sure how up to date it is.

• by tagabek on 4/24/13, 5:03 AM

  If you want to make this one app and then go back to Ruby (or what you normally do) afterwards, you could probably wing it with a variety of specific online tutorials, GitHub, StackOverflow, and of course 'Google'.

  If you want to become a talented iOS Developer, callmeed posted everything you'll need to start your journey.

• by kfullert on 4/24/13, 7:11 AM

  Thanks for all your answers, I'm looking to do more "proper" iOS development as time goes on rather than just winging it for one app and never returning :) As suggested by callmeed, I'm going to try and book a week off from my day job as trying to learn something like this in the few hours I have free in evenings isn't going to happen (at least not productively) and I've got a target of what I hope to get done by the end of the week - thanks for your suggestions everyone, and I'll be in touch shortly callmeed :)

• by penguin_gab on 4/24/13, 1:18 PM

  Check out http://www.getappninja.com/ which currently features an iOS for Absolute Beginners video screencast series that takes you from zero knowledge to building a Zombie Pet game from scratch.

  Also Ray Wenderlich resources are great IMO.

  Disclaimer: I am the founder of App Ninja :)