Book "iOS5 Programming" by Rob Napier and Mugunth Kumar

About the Book: Pushing the Limits with iOS 5 Programming is an expert guide for developers aiming to create unique applications for Apple's iPad 2, iPhone, and the iPod Touch, which includes the latest version of the Apple iPhone SDK, iOS 5. This text goes beyond the basics to keep you ahead of the technology curve and spark your innovative nature to create seamless, functional, and fun apps. With a focus on advanced techniques for app development, you will learn to differentiate your apps from all the rest.
With this must-have book, you'll explore advanced coverage of a variety of development topics, such as developing with deep Objective-C, while you learn to create amazing applications for Apple's iPad 2, iPhone, and iPod touch. Veteran mobile developers and authors guide you through maximizing your programs as they delve into topics not commonly found elsewhere.
Provides a solid foundation in the patterns of iOS
Shares tips for running on multiple platforms and best using security services
Discusses topics such as controlling multitasking, advanced text layout and more
Demonstrates how to think differently with blocks and functional programming
Teaches table view, performance, and money-making optimization
Eliminates common challenges with memory management and iOS information flow
Pushing the Limits with iOS 5 Programming allows you to take on the future with confidence in your new, stand-out app design skills.

About the Authors:

Rob Napier - Rob is a builder of treehouses, hiker, proud father, and in his spare 50-60 hours a week, a Mac and iPhone developer. He's coauthor of iOS 5 Programming Pushing the Limits. Cocoaphony is where he pontificates on various issues fascinating to Cocoa developers, and occasionally other topics of technical interest. You can find more information about him on LinkedIn. Or mail him at robnapier on gmail. Now and then he tweets at @cocoaphony.

Mugunth Kumar - Mugunth is a independent iOS developer based in Singapore. He graduated in 2009 and holds a Masters degree from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, majoring in Information Systems. He blogs about mobile development, writing tutorials focusing mostly on iOS platform (blog.mugunthkumar.com).
Prior to iOS development he worked for top Fortune 500 companies consulting on Windows and .NET platforms. His core areas of interest includes programming methodologies (Object Oriented and Functional), Mobile Development and Usability Engineering.
If he is not coding, he would probably be found at some exotic place capturing scenic photos of Mother Nature. He can be reached at contact@mk.sg or skype (imk.sg) or on his mobile phone (65)-9727-4850

My Review: Having written an application for iPhone/iPad/iTouch called "Bible Names", I really appreciate this book for what it has to offer. The authors start describing the new features of iOS5 compared to iOS4 and giving some tips on how to better use Xcode4. Then they go in details over the new feature called ARC (Automatic Reference Counting). After that they discuss some of the most important concepts, including Properties, Accessors, Protocols, Model-View-Controller, Delegates, Table Views, Drawing Systems, Layout, Layers, User Interaction, Animation. They also mention how to deal with error handling, how to control multitasks and how to run on multiple iPlatforms and iDevices. They cover all things with code examples when possible, showing what to do and what to avoid, no only because of elegance, but for easier understanding the code as it runs behind the scenes. They also talk about internationalization and localization, as well as implementing of the so called In App Purchase, a model that allows you to sell things inside your application.
Definitely a book not destined for beginners, but really worthy to improve your coding techniques and reach the next level on programming for iOS line of products.


This book was written by Rob Napier and Mugunth Kumar and was published by John Wiley and sons in December 2011. Amazon.com was kind enough to provide this book for me through their Vine Program for reviewing and I was not request to provide a positive review. Opinions expressed here are my own.

If you read this review, fell free to leave a comment!