She has a plan, Stan!
I’ve come across this fantastic article in ‘the Guardian’ (natch).
It’s a little old, but still relevant I think:
How to become an iPhone App developer in 8 easy steps
So I’m now going to summarise the steps and what they mean
to me:
1) Buy a Mac
It CAN be a piece of crap one providing it runs Leopard as
its Operating System and the dude featured in the article (Ethan Nicolas, the
creator of ‘ishoot’) was balancing a baby on his lap while developing it. I’ll
repeat that again, HE WAS BALANCING A BABY ON HIS LAP WHILE HE WAS DEVELOPING
IT! Oh my days, just how much on the same wavelength are we? It’s almost like
we live the same lives! Disclaimer: I seriously doubt we live anything like the
same lives, but it’s heartening to hear this can be done one-handed while you
clear up toddler vom with the other.
2) Download the SDK (Software developers Kit)
Yup, can do. Just need to get my hands on a piece of crap
Mac first.
3) Learn ‘Objective C’
‘Objective C’ is the programming language I’m going to need
to create an iPhone App. The reason I am going to learn another programming
language called ‘C++’ first (or at least give myself a crash course in it) is
to familiarise myself with programming languages in general and ‘C++’ is very
transferable language to learn. And I have some time to kill before I can
afford to buy a piece of crap Mac.
4) Start writing something!
I’ll try! I’m guessing this doesn’t refer to an essay?
Shame, as I’m cracking at those.
5) Sign up as an official iPhone developer
Cool beans. There’s a $99 sign-up fee but I’ll cross that
bridge when I come to it.
6) Prepare for a few weeks of work…
Or in my case, as a complete novice, whose run ragged with
small children, prepare for a few months of work…
7) Submit your App to Apple
Noted.
8) Adapt, market and survive!
I have a feeling along with the programming THIS will be the
hardest stage.
So that’s what I need to do, it’s excellent having it listed
like this. It makes it all seem so much more achievable and my brain is screaming
“turn back now!” at a slightly lesser volume than it was before. I can hear the
TV over it now, which is lovely.
Go you!! Objective C is according to my husband a complete pain in the arse and he wishes they used Ruby (easier, faster and cleaner). But that's what Apple wants and that what Apple gets.
ReplyDeleteBut there are some good programming exercises kicking around the web, follow them and you'll be on the right track. This one looks quite a good place to start http://www.otierney.net/objective-c.html
Just remember even if your App doesn't make millions, iPhone developers with not much experience make £200-300 a DAY in London, so well worth mastering x
As ever Liz, stellar advice. Thank you, thank you, thank you :) I hope you don't mind but I'll probably turn to you and Paul if I have any technical questions that I can't seem to work through myself!
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