How do I get started on programming for Mac and iPhone?

Question

I'm very new to programming. However, I am very fluent with technology, and I understand basic principles, if you will, the essence of programming, such as input, output, and applications. I just don't know HOW to make all that stuff. So with that in mind, where would you recommend I could get started? I really want to be a developer for the iPhone, and possibly make my own applications for Mac OS X. One more question: Can you make personal applications for your iPhone without paying $99 to put them on the store (just with the free SDK)?

Answer 1

yes but you need to jail break phone

go to java sun.com site and do javeme tutorials  

Answer 2

I am on the same page as you. I just purchased the $99 SDK, and I am now an iPhone Developer.

I make most of my apps in Dashcode. There are many tutorials on iTunes that are very helpful.

No, you can't publish your apps on the app store without paying the $99. I wish you could, but there is no way to get around it.

I hope this is helpful.

Answer 3

You can learn how to type in code to do what you want by reading any "for dummies" or "for idiots" books in the computer section of any Barnes and Nobles or Border's book stores. If you google a little bit you can probably find it for free. The thing is, is you said you want to be a developer for the iPhone. If that's where you want to end up I would say forget wasting your time writing another c**p program that probably no one will even notice, let alone use, and get yourself into a 4 year college and get a bachelor's degree to begin with. Apple is not going to hire some uneducated, no degree nobody no matter how talented or enthusiastic they are. I know some people who work for different reputable technology companies, one of the companies sells technology directly to Apple so this person knows quite a bit about how they operate there. This person was telling me that one of the guys at Apple's HR department who reviews all the resumes says they get applications left and right and the ones with no degrees go straight into the recycling bin. He says they get applications with links to stupid YouTube videos and myspace pages that the applicants make trying to impress the company, all that c**p doesn't mean anything to the guy in charge of hiring, they want to see degrees and previous experience, someone who worked for HP or Xerox for 5 years, and nothing retail so don't say you sold computers at Best Buy or Circuit City and think that will get you anywhere.

First off I would say you need to get a program that can actually write the programs for you. I am no longer a Mac user so I can't recommend anything current because I don't know. But when I did program on Windows it was with Visual C++, I'm not even sure what they use now because I work on the software output side now. Again, this information you can get by googling it, or if you live near an Apple store you can go in and ask them, they won't lie to you in there.

For your last question the answer is yes, you can make personal applications for your iPhone without paying the $99, however they won't be in the store. There are a number of programs out there that hack the iPhone's code that requires users to purchase ringtones from the iTunes store. These programs are freeware so anyone can get them, however it is questionable how compatible or virus safe they are to actually use. Basically if you don't pay $99 to put your program in the store no one will know it exists, so how are you going to profit from that?