Language Suggestions Please

N

ngcomputing

Registered
Hi, --- :eek:

I've come from about 18 years or so off the pc. I've done assembly, c/c++, pascal, basic, turbo basic, and even old cobol. Over the past 6 years I've focused on web development using Perl and that last 5 years PHP with heavy OOP (I run a web dev business).

Ok, history done...

I've looked at Cocoa, Java, Objective C and Real Basic and stumped on a direction to take.

I'm really wanting to do some programming on the MAC side, not scripting, real programming ;)

I'm interested in writing native OS/X apps to include some business applications in addition to codeing some apps for connected hardware devices, esp USB/Firewire.

1) someone in the same field, could you suggest or recommend a target language.

2) coming from a PC background, I need a good programming book to get me up to par for development on the OS/X platform.

3) would much appreciate if someone could give me some ideas on any sources / info on programming external hardware devices on the mac.

4) any recommendations on web sites with forums / info for mac software development would be appreciated (not scripting languages).

thanks much!

ngcomputing
 
1) Objective-C is the preferred language for Mac OS X applications. The API is Cocoa, which can also be accessed via Java, but Objective-C is really the better choice. Using bindings in 10.3 and 10.4 you can write much much less code.

2) Objective-C is easy to learn. If you know C/C++, it'll take a day to learn Objective-C's syntax. I'd recommend Programming in Objective-C or Objective-C Pocket Reference. For Cocoa programming using Objective-C, I'd recommend Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X. This is one of the best beginning books for Cocoa development. You could also check out Cocoa Programming which is a good book too.

3) For working with USB and other external devices, you'll most likely be using the I/O Kit which is all in C, but you can still access it fine in Objective-C/Cocoa applications.

4) CocoaDev is a great Cocoa resource. There is tons of Cocoa related sample code and help there. I'd also recommend Cocoa Dev Central which has some good tutorials, especially ones concerning new technologies in Tiger. Also you can search the mailing list online via Cocoabuilder which is very helpful.

You could also check out Apple's Introduction to The Objective-C Programming Language too.
 
Thanks for both replies. I went through Apple's Cocoa tutorial online...more of a step by step that really doesn't explain the details in depth. Anyways, ordered Programming in Objective-C and "Cocoa(R) Programming for Mac(R) OS X (2nd Edition)"

I was kind of looking for a good all around book for both. But, it does make more sense to get up to speed with Objective-C then deal with inteface building using Cocoa.

After that, I'll be scouting out more info on building device drivers.

I've bookmarked all of the forums that were suggested, I know they will come in handy soon.

Thanks again!
 
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