Anon said
I presumed that the book would still be useful for my iMac with OS X 10.5, but I have found it very tough going. There are enough differences between what the book describes and shows that I spend more time trying to figure out the 10.5 version of their 10.4 instructions than actually learning how to program. That I am just beginning to learn how to program, my difficulty might reflect more about me than the book.
I also perhaps should have taken as a hint that if Wrox hasn't come out with a 10.5 version of this book, there might be a reason for it. The book seemed impressive enough that I though it worth a try. I regret buying the book since I doubt that I will really be able to use or benefit from it.
I will soon try 'Learn C on the Mac' by Dave Marks, published by Apress to see if that works better for me.
Lesson learned: don't buy computer books for versions other than what you have.
S. Kachalo said
This book is quite helpful for the beginning Mac programmer.
However, lots of things have changed since it was published.
When you try to follow the "Try it out" examples, sometimes you get seriously stuck, because the "buttons" you are suggested to click no longer exist in the new versions of Xcode and Interface Builder.
Some discussed functions are now depreciated.
It's the time for the authors to think about a new edition.
Agostinho Almeida said
I've just started to read the book (1st &2nd chapters) and it seems to follow the directions from previous reviews that lead me to buy it: it seems indicated to someone who, like me, is new to the OSX environment and is willing to do some programming on it.
Greg Mein said
Been a great book for learning Mac programming so far. Very hands on with examples aplenty.
E. Neumann said
I have been unfortunate enough to pick this book up as a starting point for Mac programming. Very heavy on sample code that's either not explained at all for a few chapters or just glossed over after you're made to type, compile and run it. Explanations are in the line-by-line format with no explanation of the larger context of what you're actually doing.
The book jumps around between new and legacy frameworks and environments as if a beginner needs to be confronted with more choices.
Oh and 200 of the 620 odd pages of content is about scripting, which again is split into UNIX scripting, Python/Ruby and AppleScripting...
I almost gave up on getting to grips with Mac programming until i thankfully threw this book in the bin and started again with something that's better structured.
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