Rating:  - iPhone Developers, Start Here!
If you want to develop applications for the iPhone, you'll need to learn how to program in Objective-C. This is the best resource for doing that. Kochan explains each feature of the language using clear, simple examples and a straightforward and concise writing style. Even if you're a relatively new programmer, you can learn how to write Objective-C programs from this text. Unlike other references on Objective-C, Kochan does not assume you know how to program in C as a prerequisite. This is a good thing and a key pedagogical point, as the foundation for object-oriented programming is laid right from the start. Instead of having to learn how the underlying procedural C language works first, you are instead taught from the beginning to think in terms of classes, instances, and methods.
Once you have learned Objective-C from this book, you'll be ready to move on and tackle Cocoa and the frameworks that Apple provides to write iPhone applications. This book makes that task that much easier. The bottom line is that this is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn Objective-C and who needs a clear, well-written tutorial to lead the way. Only very experienced object-oriented programmers need not apply!
Rating:  - Assumes no programming experience
This books assumes the reader has no programming experience at all. I can't imagine choosing Objective-C as a first language. And if you are, I would discourage you from doing so.
If you have some software programming experience at all, you will find most of this book a waste of time and space on your shelf.
Rating:  - It's Ok
If you are beginning, and you have a little background of C, well this might be your book. Everything is very kindly explained just for beginners. But if you already know C and want to start from Objects and everything related with the Foundation framework, well you will see that half of the book is not for you. Because 300 pages are of C programming and not specifically of Objective-C programming.
But the examples are very good, and if you forgot something you can find it very easy because is very well organized.
As the super tiny title "Is an introduction."
Rating:  - For programmers new to OO
This book is best for those new to Object-Oriented programming who want to learn Objective C. It is less useful to those who want a solid understanding of programming technique and OO design, as it tends to skim over both. It is also less useful to experienced programmers who want to switch to Objective C, as it spends many pages interweaving basic concepts with those specific to Objective C.
For programmers of several years, I recommend looking for a terser book. For new programmers, I recommend considering picking up an intro to programming book instead of or in addition to this one.
Also, this book tries to teach Objective C for all platforms, and as such spends its first hundred pages teaching memory management that appears to be at odds with Apple's preferred methods. Its second half teaches Apple's pre-Objective C 2.0 method (retaining and releasing), which as of 2007 has been somewhat displaced by garbage collection.
Rating: - A useful start book for all Mac OS X developers
This book is useful for any Mac OS X developers who just started to make programs for this platform.
It not only teaches Objective-C, but also the programming basics, and the use of the base collections of the Foundation Framework.
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