Forums | MacLife

i think G4 imac · 2003-04-21 5:50 pm

Is there any way to use my existing knowledge of c++ to build os X apps? How is Ojbective c related to c/c++ and why does it seem like apple doesn't have a C++ api? It seems kinda backwards....prob. cuz I dont understand

Ellipsoid · 2003-04-21 7:02 pm

If you own Mac OS X, then you own the developer's tools. I am in your boat, basically, where my knowledge of C++ is pretty near complete, but where Objective-C in Cocoa is concerned I'm relatively incapacitated.

If you open Project Builder (one of the development applications) and create a "C++ Tool", that will be your standard command-line application. Anything goes.

As I've gathered, if you figure out the rudiments of Objective-C syntax, then you can work in everything you create below that level with C++. It strikes me Objective-C is only most critical to know at the top levels of the program, where you start working with NSObject derivatives.

iopossum · 2003-04-22 2:45 am

I was just like you when I started, I knew C++ like the back of my hand and was pretty angry Apple would choose some new language to base their API one (actually it's not new, but you know what I mean). Anyways, for most things, there's not much difference. Objective-C will take you 1 day to learn if you know C++. You may make a mistake retaining and releasing here and there but you'll pretty much have a good grasp of it.

What will take you a LOT longer to learn are the API's. But it would have taken you a long time to learn this anyway. So basically the amount of time it will take you to learn all this stuff is = to (the amount it would have taken you if it was in C++) + 1 day.

Seriously though, just pick up a tutorial or two and you'll be coding in no time. Basically always have Safari open to the Apple's documentation pages and you'll be set.

Ellipsoid · 2003-04-22 9:16 pm

What will take you a LOT longer to learn are the API's.

This is the truth. The Cocoa APIs are ridiculously powerful, but understanding the interactions between them will take time (I'm still in the middle of it).

But again, if you don't need to create GUIs, then there's no reason to touch it. C++ tool all the way.

i think G4 imac · 2003-04-23 9:22 pm

Cool! thanks!

Ellipsoid · 2003-04-23 9:24 pm

Might I say, that is quite a picture you have there for your avatar.

Forums | MacLife

#1 2003-04-21 5:50 pm

Developing Apps for OS X

#2 2003-04-21 7:02 pm

Re: Developing Apps for OS X

#3 2003-04-22 2:45 am

Re: Developing Apps for OS X

#4 2003-04-22 9:16 pm

Re: Developing Apps for OS X

#5 2003-04-23 9:22 pm

Re: Developing Apps for OS X

#6 2003-04-23 9:24 pm

Re: Developing Apps for OS X

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