Re: Cocoa Developer in Training: Language Question (ObjC or Java)?
Re: Cocoa Developer in Training: Language Question (ObjC or Java)?
- Subject: Re: Cocoa Developer in Training: Language Question (ObjC or Java)?
- From: Michael Peirce <email@hidden>
- Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 15:10:49 -0500
On Thursday, January 3, 2002, at 11:58 AM, Reno Marioni wrote:
My question: If you were starting out, would you start out
with Java or Objective C for developing Cocoa apps?
When I started with Cocoa last fall, I tried using Java a bit. It
"sounds" more marketable - "I'm doing Java Programming on Mac OS X" and
I already knew Java pretty well. But I quickly found that Cocoa works
best using Obj-C.
Although I'm sure you can build a decent application in Cocoa using
Java, Cocoa's Obj-C roots show in a number of places. I found it easier
to take a little time to learn Obj-C (it's easy to learn if you know
Java or even C++) and work in that language.
When I was using Java and Cocoa together it felt like I was mixing
metaphors. Sometimes I did things in Java-ish ways like URL handling and
others I did in Cocoa ways, like using NSDictionaries.
You should take the time to work through one of the books. This gives
you a good overview of things. Then knock off a small project or two -
have each on do something different like using toolbars or preferences
or an outline view. Play with interface builder some. IB was a "WOW,
this is way better than other tools" experience for me.
When you stop making the silly little mistakes (it took me a while - I
must be getting old!), dive into something real and have fun.
I'm having more fun programming with Cocoa than I've had in a long time.
[Now if the market for Cocoa consultants would just developed my wife
would be happy too!]
--
Michael Peirce
6497 Spinnaker Drive
Lewis Center OH 43035
740-657-1269
email@hidden