Mobile App Development

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
1595 Students

Learn to create Mac, iPhone, and iPad apps and programs using Objective-C and the Xcode compiler.

The fastest-growing software market today involves mobile applications (or apps). In this course, you'll learn to use the free Xcode compiler and the Objective-C programming language to program your own apps that you can sell through Apple's App Store, reaching millions of potential customers around the world.

You'll start with the basic steps to writing any program, then progress to using Xcodeâ€”the same compiler that Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, and many other companies use to write programs and applications. Along the way, you'll explore examples and perform simple coding exercises to build your confidence using Xcode and Objective-C.

Even if you're new to programming or have experience programming a different type of computer, this course will offer the guidance you need to build your own apps. By the end of this course, you'll know how to find your way around Xcode and write Objective-C commands, so you'll be ready to start creating your very own Mac,iPhone, or iPad programs!

Course Revised March 2014

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

Computers, smartphones, and tablets may look nice, but they're essentially useless without software to make them work. Today, the Mac is one of the hottest computers around, the iPhone is one of the most popular smartphones, and the iPad is one of the most dominant tablets in the market. With so many people buying these products, there's a tremendous opportunity to write and sell software or applications for all these millions of users. In our first lesson, you'll learn the basics of how programming works for any computer. Then you'll find out how to use a programming tool called Xcode to create programs or applications for the Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Just like a lot of trained professionals—from surgeons to car mechanics—computer programmers need certain special tools to help them write programs. In this lesson, we'll go over the types of tools you'll need to create programs. Then you'll learn how to use Xcode, the free programming tool that Apple provides for writing Mac, iPhone, and iPad programs and applications. By the end of this lesson, you'll feel a lot more comfortable using Xcode because you'll know what it can do, how it works, and how to use it to write your own programs.

Today we'll look at the three basic parts of any program and how to create them. First, we'll explore the user interface or View that allows users to control a program and view information. Second, we'll talk about the Model—the code that tells your program to perform a calculation. And third, you'll find out how a Controller links your View and your Model. When you have a feel for these three elements, you can understand how to create any type of program you wish.

Programming boils down to writing commands in a particular language. To create Mac, iPhone, and iPad programs, you'll use a programming language called Objective-C. The bigger your program, the more complicated it can get—so today you'll learn how to divide a large program into smaller, more manageable parts.

What's the main feature of any program? The commands that tell the program what to do and how to do it! To create Objective-C commands, you need to learn how to read, write, and understand Objective-C code . . . and that's what we'll talk about today.

Every program needs to hold data temporarily, and today you'll see how this works. First, you'll discover how programs can hold data in a storage unit called a variable or a constant. After that, you'll find out how Objective-C manipulates data to make decisions.

Every program needs to make decisions based on input. In this lesson, you'll learn how to compare values and choose between sets of instructions, allowing your program to react to different data and calculate new results. You'll learn about True and False values known as Boolean values as well as branch structures in programming known as if and switch statements.

If you need a computer to run certain commands multiple times, you can write the same lines of code over and over . . . or you can use a loop, which lets you write code once and have it run as many times as you like. Today you'll master three types of loops.

One of the most useful features of modern programming languages like Objective-C is the ability to create objects. The main idea behind objects is to divide a large program into independent parts that you can paste together like building blocks. By learning the advantages of objects and how to use them in Objective-C, you can create programs faster and more reliably than ever before.

Objective-C code tells your program how to work, but the user only sees the interface—the screen on which your program displays information for the user to view or manipulate. Designing a user interface is easy because Xcode provides common elements, including buttons, check boxes, and text fields. Then you can connect your interface with your Objective-C code to make the whole thing work.

To design a user interface, you need to understand not only what different elements you can use but also when to use them and how to incorporate them into your own program. In this lesson, you'll continue learning about designing a user interface. You'll also get acquainted with using Apple's documentation to find out more about some of the most popular user interface elements.

Congratulations—you're ready to create a basic iPhone program! By applying what you've learned throughout this course, you can get a rough idea of how to develop your own programs for the Mac, the iPhone, or the iPad.

Wallace Wang

Wallace Wang is the author of over 40 computer books including "Microsoft Office 2007 For Dummies." In addition to writing computer books, he has also co-authored "Breaking Into Acting for Dummies" and ghost written several books about investing i... Read more

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Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

What people are saying about our courses

I want to thank you for teaching this course. It was exactly what I was looking for and I feel like I now know enough to get started on some serious study of iPad app development. My next stop is Safari Books Online, where I hope to deepen my knowledge. I particularly appreciated your very clear instructions.

Verified Student

Thank you for the course. I have not programmed in 15 years. This gave me the jump start that I needed to make some progress and really put a structured framework around how to get started.

Verified Student

My first programming language was Apple Basic, progressing up through C/C++ and many C based web languages since then. I appreciate that the base programming concepts have stayed true, even with moving to visual editors. I think I'm going to enjoy this transition into mobile development.

Verified Student

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The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Mobile App Development you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

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