Building iPhone^® and iPad^® Applications:
Extended Features

What is this course about?

This course is about moving forward from basic iOS applications to more advanced applications that make full use of the hardware capabilities of the iPhone and iPad. You explore the Cocoa Touch frameworks that are used to unlock the extended capabilities of these devices and learn the more advanced Objective-C techniques that support those frameworks.

Who will benefit from this course?

Developers who have experience creating basic iPhone and iPad applications with the iOS Software Development Kit (SDK) and who want to expand their use of the devices to cover more advanced aspects such as location services, multimedia, messaging and advanced data storage.

What background do I need?

Attendees should have solid experience working with Objective-C at the level of Course 2761, iPhone^® and iPad^® Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction.

This course also assumes familiarity with the iOS SDK and its tools, as well as the ability to create simple iOS projects using Xcode and Interface Builder.

How does this course differ from Course 2761, iPhone^® and iPad^® Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction?

Course 2761 is an introductory course that establishes a grounding in the iOS SDK, Objective-C and developer tools. Most of the programming examples in Course 2761 restrict themselves to core Objective-C classes and the UIKit framework. This course builds on that material, discussing more advanced Objective-C techniques while investigating a much wider range of Cocoa Touch frameworks such as MapKit, Core Location and Core Data.

Is this an advanced course?

Yes. The course does not teach the fundamentals of Objective-C or the basic principles of creating applications with the iOS SDK. It moves directly into advanced Objective-C features and frameworks.

What hardware and software are used in the course?

The course exercises run on Mac computers running Mac OS X Lion. The development tools used on the course are those provided by the standard Apple iOS SDK; primarily Xcode and Interface Builder.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much of this course is hands-on?

Approximately 40% of time on the course is devoted to hands-on exercises, allowing you to gain extensive experience building a feature-rich iOS application using a variety of Cocoa Touch frameworks. Exercises include:

• Programming with Objective-C categories, protocols and blocks
• Reading and writing application preferences
• Persisting information with SQLite and Core Data
• Finding a device location using Core Location
• Displaying dynamic maps and annotating using MapKit
• Scheduling local notifications

Does this course cover web services?

No. Accessing web services from the iPhone and iPad is covered in Course 2761, iPhone^® and iPad^® Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction.

Will we cover GPS and maps as part of this course?

Yes. We cover the Core Location framework which obtains location information from a device and we will display and annotate maps using the MapKit framework.

Do we cover the Core Data framework as part of this course?

Yes. We cover advanced data storage techniques, including SQLite and an introduction to the Core Data framework.

What are some of the extended features that are covered in this course?

In addition to Core Location and Core Data, the course covers more advanced Objective-C features such as protocols, categories, delegates and the singleton pattern. In terms of frameworks, the course goes beyond the basic UIKit framework and covers QuickLook, MapKit, EventKit, AddressBook, Core Location and others.

I am only interested in developing applications for the iPad. Is this course right for me?

The majority of exercises are written as universal applications that will run full-screen on both the iPad and the iPhone. Some layouts are specific to the iPad, such as the split view and popovers, are used in some of the exercises but these applications still run correctly on the iPhone.

I've written applications for Android devices. Is this a sufficient background for this course?

No. The Android platform, while outwardly displaying many similar features to the iOS platform, is fundamentally different. Android applications are written in Java using the Android SDK and typically the Eclipse development tool. iPhone and iPad applications are written using Objective-C and the iOS SDK with Xcode and Interface Builder.

Techniques learned on an Android course are not directly transferrable to an iPhone/iPad course. Android programmers who need to create iOS applications should consider attending Course 2761, iPhone^® and iPad^® Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction.

Do I need a Mac if I'm attending this course via AnyWare?

No. If you are attending the course via AnyWare, you will log into a classroom Mac using LogMeIn to complete your exercises. This can be done from either a Mac or a Windows PC.

Do I have to provide my own iPhone and iPad for use in this course?

No. All exercises run on the simulator provided with the iOS SDK. No physical devices are used on the course and because of Apple's authorisation process, it will not be possible to deploy applications to your own device during class.

All exercise code, including solutions, is provided for use after the course and can be installed on devices from home or work machines.

Will we deploy my application to the App Store?

No. Deploying to the App Store requires payment and developer certificates that are not easily obtainable within the timespan of the course.

Do I need to be a member of the Apple Developer program for this course?

No. There is no need to be a member of the Apple Developer Program to take the course. All software is provided and all exercises are run on the simulator so no downloads or deployment to a device are required.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers a number of courses that will help you expand upon the knowledge gained in this course and further your skills in several key areas. Those courses include:

• 2771, Developing Applications for AndroidTM Devices: Hands-On 
• 577, Building XML Web Services with Java: Hands-On 
• 2601, Programming WCF Web Services for .NET: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction 
• 2320, HTML5: Next Generation Web Development 

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