Objective C Primer with Big Nerd Ranch

Course Goals for Objective-C

• Understand classes, objects, and methods
• Write a first program in Objective-C
• Use basic control constructs for looping, decision-making, etc.
• Define classes and write instance and class methods
• Use inheritance
• Take advantage of polymorphism and dynamic typing
• Work with the preprocessor
• Utilize underlying C features
• Use the basic Foundation classes (numbers, arrays, dictionaries, sets, etc.)
• Retain and release objects correctly to prevent memory leaks
• Demonstrate fluency in Objective-C

Syllabus for Objective-C

Classes, Objects, and Methods
    A brief introduction to the concepts of OOP programming.
Get started
    Write a first program in Objective-C. Define a simple class.
Data types and expressions
    Understand the basic data types and how to write expressions.
Loops
    How to use basic language statements for program looping.
Decisions
    Understand the basic decision-making constructs in the language.
More on Classes
    Using separate interface and implementation files. Multiple arguments to methods. Local variables.
Inheritance
    The root. Extension through inheritance. Overriding methods.
Polymorphism, Dynamic Typing, and Dynamic Binding
    The id type. Static vs. dynamic typing. Ask questions about classes
More on Variables and Data Types
    Initializing classes. Variable scope. Storage class specifiers. Enumerated data types. Data type conversion.
Categories and Protocols
    Add a category to a class. Formal vs. informal protocols. Posing.
The preprocessor
    Define macros. Conditional compilation.
Underlying C Features
    Learn about arrays, structures, functions, and pointers.
Foundation Classes
    How to use basic foundation classes, including numbers, arrays, dictionaries, and sets.
Introduction to Memory Management
    Understand the autorelease pool. Write leak-free programs.

About the instructor

Mark Fenoglio
http://www.bignerdranch.com/

Objective-C and PHP/PostgreSQL Instructor Mark Fenoglio has over 12 years of experience in database and web-based application development in technologies ranging from SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and 4th Dimension to ASP, PHP, Ajax, Cocoa, and Objective-C. He was hired by the Big Nerd Ranch in September 2005 after asking too many annoying questions at the Cocoa Bootcamp that March.

To support his PHP development efforts, Mark has crafted his own PHP application framework. The framework features a PostgreSQL-friendly ORM and predicate library, a lightweight template-based rendering engine, and an innovative workflow approach to application design.

When not slaving away at his computer, Mark puts his Masters Degree in Geophysics from Stanford University to good use by pounding away at rock walls in quarries, searching for elusive treasures for his mineral collection. (Consequently, he never mocks anyone else's hobbies.)