Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X

by Aaron Hillegass

There's a reason that a large slice of the open-source movement has defected from running Linux on its laptops to running Mac OS X. The reason is the Unix core that underlies Mac OS X, and the development tools that run on that core. Cocoa makes it easy to create very slick Mac OS X interfaces for software (as well as to create applications in a hurry), and this new edition of Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X does an excellent job of teaching its readers how to put a Cocoa face on top of code (Objective-C code almost exclusively). If you know something about C and/or C++ programming and want to apply your skills to the Mac, this is precisely the book you want.

Author Aaron Hillegass teaches a Cocoa class, and his book reads like a demonstration-driven lecture in a computer lab. That is, the book takes a heavily example-centric approach to its subject, beginning with simple announcement windows and proceeding to cover the more advanced controls and object-oriented features of Cocoa and Objective-C. Throughout, he hops back and forth between descriptions of the goal to be accomplished, listings of the code that does the job, and instructions on how to use the Mac OS X development tools to speed the development process. --David Wall

Topics covered: How to write software for Mac OS X in Objective-C and, especially, with Cocoa. The new edition shows how to use NSUndoManager, add AppleScript capability to an application, do graphics work with OpenGL, and use Cocoa under Linux using GNUstep. As well, all the basic controls and design patterns are covered.

Genres: Programming, Computers, Reference, Technology, Nonfiction, Software, Technical

448 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2001

About the author

Aaron Hillegass was working at NeXT when it was purchased by Apple. He founded Big Nerd Ranch in 2001. He is working on a PhD in Machine Learning at Georgia Tech.

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok lets be clear here. I'm the worlds worst programmer! my brain is not wired to programme, I'm thick as two short planks when it comes to programming. I'm like a dog chasing a cat, I always go back for more punishment!!

Great book, but skips through some of the explainations of how individual lines of code are structured and why. Apples reference docs don't give simple examples of how each call works and I find it confusing as I don't easily see how a call should be used.

Having said that the one great (and frustrating) thing about this book is the challenges at the end of various chapters. Aaron works through development of a small programme across several chapters and then presents you with a challenge at the end of one of the chapters instructing you to construct a similar programme using what you have learnt BUT also using a new call or two.

This is the bit that floors me and I don't allow myself to read any further until I've completed the current challenge.

It may well take me years to finish this book.........oh dear!

[Chibimagic · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book tried to teach Cocoa, Objective-C, and Xcode at the same time and failed pretty miserably. The book is organized around example programs, not programming concepts, so it's pretty much impossible to go back and skim to find a particular bit of code or concept.

This book teaches you how to read Objective-C, not how to write it. The author encourages you to copy-paste the code a lot or retype it verbatim. Instead of practicing what was just covered, the exercises either have you repeat the example program verbatim or make you figure out things for yourself that haven't been gone over yet. You might as well just read Apple's technical documentation instead.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how technical books should be written. If you want to learn Cocoa programming for Mac OS X, I highly recommend this book.

The author does an excellent job of walking the reader through the need-to-know parts of developing Cocoa software on the Mac. His style is very approachable. A breadth of fresh air, a technical book that does NOT read like a cryptic UNIX man page. Hillegass "gets" his audience.

I would not recommend this book to a beginner or non-programmer. A decent understanding of object-oriented programming concepts is a prerequisite. Any seasoned C++ or Java programmer should have no issues with the material.

I would also recommend this book to iPhone developers new to Cocoa. It does an excellent job of filling in the gaps that Apple omits in their iPhone guides and tutorials.

[Laurence Scotford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really thorough and highly recommended introduction to programming Cocoa on Mac OS X. What I loved about this book is that almost every technical detail that is discussed is illustrated with simple example applications that can quickly be built and run.

I'd also recommend completing the challenges in the book. Some of them are quite stretching for programmers that are new to Cocoa, but I probably learnt as much again from completing the challenges as I did from following along with examples.

This book is an excellent follow-up to the Big Nerd Ranch guide to Objective C, if you are just starting out as a Mac programmer.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hillegass is the Petzold of Mac programming. Well written programming book for learning how to code Mac OS apps using Objective-C and Xcode [it helps if you already know C and C++].

A fourth edition was released in 2011 which includes a chapter on iOS, which was new at the time. Probably the biggest omission for today's readers [2020] is that you can now use the Swift language to program Mac apps. Objective-C still works as good as ever, but Swift promises faster development, a more modern syntax, and safer memory management.

[Ergun Coruh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only book you need to have if you want to learn Mac OS/X, Objective-C Programming. The examples in the book follow XCode 3 but I didn't have much difficulty in adapting them to XCode 4. The flow is engaging, examples are interesting and comprehensive. I found everything I needed for the app I am working on. Thoroughly recommended. 5/5 stars. Note this book covers Mac desktop apps. There is another one from the same author "iPhone Programming The Big Nerd Ranch Guide" that I keep an eye on too, that would be my next book.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first book on Cocoa and Objective-C programming. Did not cover iOS (then iPhone OS) programming.

Wasn't a beginner book. It assumed some competence on Mac OS usage and culture. Difficult to get through; wasn't a good match to my need at the time (iPhone OS programming).

However, later, as I learned the platform, I came back to this book periodically, to see how it treated some topics. An OK book.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The de-facto standard text for learning Cocoa. It was good and to the point. The subject matter is challenging however so I would only recommend this book to someone who has at least basic experience with the C language and an object oriented language. These are really the prerequisites to picking up this book.

[P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be great for a beginner in Objective-C and Cocoa, but it won't take you very far. Most of my experience was just re-typing code from the book, which is very helpful when you are not at all familiar with Objective-C or Cocoa.

However, if you are an intermediate or advanced Cocoa programmer this probably won't help very much.

[Alpha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 - A terrific introduction to Cocoa and Objective-C. One of the few programming books which successfully caters to experienced programmers that are new to a specific field. Hillegass dives right into the subject matter, and the book does an especially good job with pacing the examples with infodumps.

[Jeff Menter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a great book on Cocoa Programming and Xcode. It can be picked up by anyone with just a little programming experience. Coupled with Stephen Kochan's excellent "Programming in Objective C" and you're ready to start making your own Mac OS X applications!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to get into programming on the Mac or the iPhone, this is the first book you should read. Considered by many as the "Cocoa Bible", it leads the reader into the world of Cocoa, Objective-C, and Xcode at a steady, manageable pace.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the last Objective C book I worked through. Hillegass isn't thorough enough. Yeah, I understand the virtue in setting challenges for reader/students. But a lot of time is wasted and I'm often in a state of resigned confusion.

Jay

[Pz · Rating 4 out of 5]

so much clearer than any tutorial on the web. has a tutorial like format but does a good job of explaining the major concepts in developing for mac/iphone (obj c, cocoa, interface builder)

i don't see it as a good reference but its a great book for learning

[Jason Hullinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Hillegass is an excellent tech author who can explain concepts in such a way that it's easy to follow along, while keeping you engaged. If you are learning to program on Mac OS X and are either a ninja Objective-C coder or a novice, this book is a must have.

[Jack Repenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

The go-to book for Cocoa and Objective C. An extraordinarily rare technical book: works as class, refresher, or reference; highly accessible yet very thorough. Also the best introduction to Objective-C (which is required to work in Cocoa).

[Robert Postill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, it was clear, practical and relevant. However Objective-C and the Mac OS X toolkit is sadly too ugly for me to persist with. I got through the first five chapters or so but stopped once I knew I couldn't take the environment.

[TK Keanini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like apple computers and this book is a good way to learn cocoa(apple computer programing language)

-Colin L.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who wants to develop OSX apps in Cocoa should read this.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh...covers the material.

[Mitchell Mckenna]

My friend Chris Cunningham from Apple recommended this book as an intro to programming for the Mac Operating System and the iphone. There's no filler, so the book's concise and to the point.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good resource for me but it reaffirmed my position that I wasn't put on this planet to be a programmer.

[Demian Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and essential introduction to Cocoa for developers

[Joe P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still the book I recommend to folks who want to learn Obj-C and Cocoa programming for MacOS X and iPhone.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to Cocoa and Objective C, especially if you make the effort to go through all the exercises!

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bible of Cocoa programming.

[Gian Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buona visione dall'alto di Cocoa e Objective C.
In alcune parti (in particolare Core Data) mi aspettavo qualche approfondimento in più...

[Jeffrey Bakker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got the 2nd edition. Was good, but gets dated fast. Snow Leopard has different tricks to get your applications to understand Applescript.

[Laurent · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first edition, and IMHO just because he has been programming for Cocoa since NextStep does not make him a good or interesting author.