Building applications for Apple’s iOS can be a daunting task for first-timers. Scouring the internet for helpful hints and tips on getting started is time consuming and at times, frustrating.
Based on my recent experience creating our first app here at TheFARM, I thought I’d throw together some points to make life easier when starting from scratch.
- Get a Mac
You can’t effectively develop for Apple devices without one. It’s an unfortunate fact but one you can’t avoid. - Sign up for an Apple Developer account
While you’re able to view some reference material and documentation, you won’t be able to download Xcode or access videos, coding how-to’s and sample code. - Purchase an iOS Developer Program subscription
You’ll be able to download Xcode and create apps with out the program subscription but you won’t be able to build and test on devices or submit your apps to the app store without it. It can take up to 2 weeks to be approved as a developer so keep that in mind when you’re starting out. If you need to build and test on devices like we needed to (because the simulator doesn’t suppose certain features), you’ll be held up. - Download Xcode
Xcode is the IDE that you’ll be using to code and submit your apps. The latest version can be obtained from the iOS Dev Center. You’ll need to login to download it. - Don’t try to be a hero
Once you’ve installed Xcode don’t try to start creating your first app straight away, do lots of reading and viewing. Apple has gone to great lengths to make it as easy as possible for you to get used the concepts of iOS development. I highly recommend you watch the ‘Getting Started Videos’.
In addition to the videos are ‘Getting Started’ documents and a lot of sample code.
Another extremely useful resource is Lynda.com (I found iPhone SDK Essential Training extremely useful). - Get used to using Xcode’s Developer Documentation
The documentation is the same as that in the iOS Dev Center, so it’s going to be much faster to use and it contains all the current source code projects.
If you follow the above points you’ll be well on your way to creating your first app!