How to competently start immersing yourself in iOS development and what is needed for this?

Question

iOS

Hello, friends.
I decided to radically change the scope of my activity (optimization and promotion of sites, and online stores) and take iOS development seriously. There is no specific experience in programming at all, everything is only in general terms at the level of basic theory. I approach the development itself from the point of view of professional development and earnings on this, as well as from the point of view of just an interesting business and possible projects of my own.
The toaster read on my topic, so questions a la "what books to read?" I will not ask.
1. How urgently do I need a MacBook to dive into development?I definitely know that without him, in the end, nowhere. The fact is that buying is not a problem (not a millionaire, but for serious professional changes he is ready to spend $ 1000-1500 on working equipment), but does it make sense, without knowing absolutely nothing on the topic, in such initial expenses? Is it enough, say, to install on Windows 7 (if anything: HP, 2 x 1.7 GHz, 2 GB of memory, built-in video ) some emulator and at least the first couple of months to deal with the initial base and basic concepts?
2. How powerful is a MacBook for an iOS developer? Let's say, will a MacBook Air 13" ( Intel Core i5, 4 GB, 128 GB (SSD), Intel HD Graphics 5000 ) be enough? Or watch which MacBook Pro 13'' Retina ( Intel Core i5, 8 GB, 128 GB (SSD ), Intel Iris graphics 5100)? Or maybe something more powerful is needed (i7 processor, 16 GB memory, video is not built-in)? It's clear that if money allows, it's better to take it smarter, but, unfortunately, buying a top-end MacBook is quite inconvenient now financially. On the other hand, you don’t really want to take an old MacBook from someone’s hands in order to change it after six months.
3. Do I need an iOS device to start learning development? Or on Windows 7 / OS X it will be possible to somehow emulate the iPhone to see what happens? Or is it somehow done differently? :-) Again, buying is not a big problem, but do I need it now? And, if necessary, another related question: buy something fresh (5 / 5s) or not important (4s)?
4.Is there a need for classic Objective-C courses? Or is it better to figure it out yourself from scratch? I live in Minsk, the courses are nothing special, everything is ordinary (approaches, methods, general level). I also know that programming is a constant self-learning. Question: does it make sense to take monthly courses to get a starting base, and then move on on your own? Or can you start at home without any problems?
5. How to plan the process of self-learning?Nothing new: I read it - I tried it, it's not clear - I searched on the Internet, it's very incomprehensible - forward to the forum? It's just about so long since I've been learning HTML. But, of course, Objective-C is a serious matter, like all related technologies, and will there be any sense in such training? Or do you need some specific system and a clear gradation of increasing your level (first read a book, then take a course, then study this related technology, and so on)? Tell me, please, how did you get involved in iOS development.
Future colleagues, I am sure that during the learning process I will have a lot of questions for which it is a shame to create new topics. If any of you have the opportunity a couple of times a week to answer my questions and briefly consult on any topic - please let me know about it in the answers (leave your any contact details and conditions (free / paid and so on). further)) . Everyone has their own business, there are very few altruists - I understand everything, so my appeals to you will be as rare as possible and to the point.
Thank you very much for your attention and interest in my questions. Have a nice week everyone! ;-)

Answer 1

It is normal to start developing for apple only on apple computers. This is the biggest hurdle. You should not mess with all sorts of virtual machines and other brilliant ideas. Savings will be very doubtful. Only mac. For the entry-level, it doesn’t matter what exactly it will be: MacBook, Macmini, iMac. If you are going to take a new device, then for me it is better to take 13 MacBook Pro without Retina. And take the minimum configuration. Why her? This model can be upgraded. Add Ram (up to 16 Gb), change or add HD or SSD drive. In other MacBooks, this can no longer be done, the memory is soldered into the board. Retina, well, I don’t know, it’s still not a budget option. Retina is good 15 inch in the top configuration, but the prices there are exorbitant. And for 13 inch models, you will still come to the conclusion that you need an external monitor. Then the meaning in the retina disappears. As for the devices, you can not have them at all for the first year and a half. Emulators work great with basic features. Again, to run the application on a real device, you need a developer license. It costs $100 a year. (You don't need such a license to run on emulators.)
Regarding the programming itself: here you need to start learning with OOP, without it you can’t go anywhere. (What are classes, objects, pointers, constructors, etc.) i.e. study theory. The best choice is any book about Objective C. And in the beginning, just sit and read learning the terms. At the beginning there will be such a mess in my head that sometimes it will seem like this nonsense can be understood and mastered at all. After watching any training video on this topic. And so gradually, over time, something will begin to be assimilated. Only AFTER this you need to Be sure to go to the courses. There everything is systematized and put on the shelves. I don’t advise you to go to courses right away from 0, it’s hard. Learn very little. Any information needs to be digested, thought over, and then bam, a new cellar, Uh, I still don’t remember it, etc. From experience I will say courses without preparation, money down the drain.
Ps If you have any questions, write, I can help. (densobakacom dog mail.ru)

Answer 2

1) A native macbook and nothing else, you can take a mac mini, especially since they have been updated
2) Everything already depends on your budget, but I think it’s logical, the more expensive it is, the more comfortable it is to work, and yes, it makes sense to look towards retina 13", because this is the golden mean between portability and power, and the screen will please
3) No, the device is not needed at the start, the tutorials are made in the emulator, but if possible, you can buy a minimal ipad mini with retina
4) Swift is out, it makes sense to start learning with him, because obzh-s is very complicated (the language is 15 or 20 years ago)
5) I went to https://www.codeschool.com/ and make tutorials (obzh-s) or using apple tutorials (available in iBooks)
6) On specialized sites there are links to conferences on Skype, they will shelter, trol and help :)
Good luck :)

Answer 3

By emulator and macbook. On Windows you won't get ANYTHING out of it. The option is either a hackintosh or a virtual machine with a macos. Under macos, there are emulators built into xCode. For the first time (if you start completely from scratch), this is enough for you.
Through the learning process. Personally, my choice is reading literature + parallel implementation of my project. Those. read the basics, see what the best practices are, and then start writing something FOR YOURSELF (in no case do you expect to make money on the first project later) and read literature in parallel.

Answer 4

1. Macbook is optimal - I tried the IDE under Windu - a constant lack of API - they do not have time to update.
2. I'm still working on 13' 2008 - well, it lags a bit, but it's normal.
3. And here it's fun - you need an iOS device for about 4/5 months of training if you have a big project - because everything can work fine on the emulator, but it crashed on the phone when launched. Well, the most fun is the screens - now the problem is the same as with Android - a bunch of screens with the advent of 6 and 6+.
4. Mmmmm - not necessarily - in the end, you can write in Objective-C, and C ++, and C - it’s already how it goes. If you need physics (ie a game), then here you will run into C.
5. About training - www.raywenderlich.com- I strongly advise you to take some kind of project and use it to go - set yourself the task of "creating an IM or a game" and go along this path, bumping into pitfalls (with iOS you can't do without them).
Great advice - do not try to immediately run after the optimization of the application - first make it just work - then fix it (most likely you will rewrite your first project from scratch a couple of times).
Here, too, you can "join" - www.creativebloq.com/app-design/how-build-app-tuto...
Good luck

Answer 5

According to item 2. It is possible to work with 4GB of memory, but it is very difficult. 8GB is already normal. Although there is not much in this matter :) i7 vs i5 and the number of cores are not so critical.

Answer 6

Answers to all your questions - https://vk.com/iosdevcourse
Start from the first lesson

Answer 7

I also tried to answer all the questions in order in my article:
How to learn to program for iOS

Answer 8

1. No. You can install a virtual machine / hackintosh.
2. You can generally poppy mini.
3. Only needed if you will be freelancing. And so - the simulator for training is quite enough.
4. Not necessarily.
5. Go to any company for an internship from scratch, the salary is low, but gaining experience will help. This will be the best option, because. training immediately on real tasks + help from knowledgeable people.

Answer 9

Check out the iOS Application Development site.

Answer 10

You will definitely need a MAC OS computer, be it a MacBook or a Mac mini. An IOS device is a little more secondary, as you can test on a simulator at first. In addition, in order to test on a device, you will need a developer certificate. When choosing an IOS device, keep in mind that the test on the latest device will not give you an idea of ​​​​how fast everything will run on older devices, while if everything works smartly for you on 4S, then, of course , and on 6+ everything will be fine. On the other hand, when purchasing an older device, you should understand that very soon APPLE will stop releasing updates for it, and this is critical for the developer.
For questions related to development, as well as obtaining a certificate, I am always happy to help. My email is [email protected]

Answer 11

The question is not entirely in the topic, but perhaps someone will orient.
The book iOS.Programming.The.Big.Nerd.Ranch.Guide.4th.Edition (Aaron Hillegas) is in Russian translation?
If yes, where would you buy it?