Rating:  - nice book
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.
Rating:  - Learn by Example
Been a great book for learning Mac programming so far. Very hands on with examples aplenty.
Rating:  - Simply not a good book.
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.
Rating:  - This is a Great Disappointment
I am a total programming newbie. I'm also fairly new to the Apple world, having bought my first Macintosh in April. I've really been excited about Macs, OSX, and all the stuff they offer.
I mainly work in graphics programs such as Poser & DAZ|Studio. Over the years, I've created countless tutorials to help Graphics Newbies. I'm known for extensive use of screenshots, and good writing skills.
I've been disappointed because there are no Macintosh versions of some very important Poser-related utilities. I thought it would be nice to learn programming, and make my own utilities.
I browsed through the Amazon book collection, and this book seemed promising. Unfortunately I was wrong. Unfortunately, it appears no one proofread this book. I got as far as Chapter 3 before I gave up.
There are numerous problems with the Calculator project. The code you enter doesn't match the code listed later in the exercise. You're supposed to fix errors on code you never entered.
The book was a problem from the start. The XCode installation information was incorrect. This problem cost me a couple hours of downtime. I eventually found the solution myself...
In the book, we have some exercises that get you started, and then you're left hanging while the authors go on and on about related stuff. Should you save the project? Should you abandon it?
In my own opinion, this book doesn't have enough screenshots. I'm left wondering exactly what item to click, or what my code should look like, etc.
It's natural for a newbies to feel lost. It's the book author's responsibility to help the reader through this confusion and teach him something.
Unfortunately, the errors in the Calculator exercise are too great an obstacle to overcome.
The book will be placed on a shelf for now. Maybe one day I'll revisit it to see if the remaining chapters are better.
Rating: - Great Book for New Apple MacOSX Devs
I am new to MacOSX development and this is just hands down a great book to get started with. it lays down a great foundation for getting started. If you have done development or hand not it is a great way to get the ball rolling. Can't wait for the next edition.
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