Book Review: Learning iPhone Programming by Alasdair Allan

Summary

Alasdair Allan Book "Learning iPhone Programming" starts with a discussion of the pro and cons of native iPhone Apps. Since I'm quite new to iPhone programming I didn't know that the initial version of the iPhone didn't support native application. So I really liked that the author describes the history of native iPhone development in the first chapter. After this discussion the author describes how you can download and install xCode. After another chapter you already have created your first own application. The next chapter is a short but sufficient introduction to the Objective-C language and common design patterns. In the next chapters the author describes most of the iOS APIs that you need for your app develepoment, it also includes a description of networking and sensor API. And of course this book also describes how you can distribute your application via the app store. Another chapter describes which alternative platform exist for developing native app. This chapter describes the javascript based phonegap and discusses shotrly how mono and MonoTouch can be used to develop native applications. The book ends with an chapter that contains references to additional books or resources on the web.

Review

I think this book is a very good and concise introduction to native iPhone development. After reading the book I now know enough to start coding with xCode. I especially liked that the book concentrates on principles instead of covering every detail. So after reading this book I really have a good overview on how to create apps for the iPhone. I personally don't like the very short chapter on other native platforms. I think this chapter is the weakest of the book, either the author extends this chapter in the next edition or he should provide just a reference to those alternative platforms in the last chapter.