Recipe to become a valuable iOS developer

When I was wondering what should be the topic for my next post, I was really in trouble. Actually, there are at least 3 proper blog posts to give you an overview and a blueprint how to build and transform yourself into an iOS programmer, even without prior computer science or programming knowledge. Which is awesome if you are a  totally new in programming, but can be a real pain in the neck for your coworkers when you can’t apply the basic principles such as effective algorithms, or design patterns not to mention the OOP principles.

So, I went through those pages:

https://medium.com/ios-os-x-development/how-to-become-a-badass-ios-developer-a87a1c78f609

https://www.codefellows.org/blog/everything-a-competent-ios-developer-needs-to-know

http://roadfiresoftware.com/2014/04/how-to-become-a-professional-ios-developer/

And  I prepared a new learning materials recipe for you, including materials from my own experience:

Step 1: For beginners, who has never touched any code before:

Foundations of Programming: Fundamentals

Foundations of Programming: Object-Oriented Design

Introduction to Computer Science

Step 2: For individuals, who has some knowledge about OOP principles, program structures and C language:

Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide 2nd Edition 

iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide 4th Edition

Step 3: For individuals who are more curious

Head First Design Patterns – O’Reilly Media

Algorithms, Part I – Princeton University | Coursera

Algorithms, Part II – Princeton University | Coursera

Developing iOS 7 Apps for iPhone and iPad

Developing iOS 8 Apps With Swift

You might already noticed, that those resources Objective-C (or Java) based. I am on the same position as the most of the guys on the above mentioned posts, that you can’t really just skip Objective-C at the moment. I think for a beginner the best strategy is to know the foundations, and build the new features on them. Later I will add resources for Swift as well.

Another problem could be the price of those materials, since there are free online resources as well. Honestly, I think that this investment is worth it, if you consider to change career path.

I couldn’t stress and emphasise enough the Big Nerd Ranch books, they are the best material I have ever read in years of learning programming and about this topic. Actually I am in the middle of the second book, but I still love it!

 

 


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