Big Nerd Ranch?

[saul102]

I have a couple of very basic apps that have been published to the App Store. One is basically an informational app for my workplace that consists of a series of views with buttons, weblinks, transitions, etc. The other is a couple of views that will play random sounds when pressed (no, it's not a fart app ). However, my workplace now desires an upgrade to the current app that will allow the same basic info in 14 different languages (among other changes), and since I am the only one that has worked with this I am the guy that has to get it done...

Therefore, I feel I have reached a point where I need to get some formal training on developing for the iPhone, and I am interested in Big Nerd Ranch (or others if anyone has any recommendations). However, I have some questions for anyone that may be familiar with them...

1. Does BNR provide a good training experience?
2. Would you recommend going straight to the Beginning iPhone course, or would it be wise to start with Beginning Cocoa?
3. Are their classes suited for someone with a very limited knowledge/experience with object oriented programming?

I appreciate any help with this. I really want to do this, but I don't want to spend $5000 to spend a week banging my head against the wall and then walking away with nothing but frustration.

Thanks!

[BrianSlick]

I did the Cocoa Bootcamp a couple years ago, and had zero prior experience with OOP. I do have a lengthy, though not particularly in-depth, history with procedural programming and C in particular. Aaron was a fantastic instructor, though I believe he isn't doing much instructing these days. I do trust he has put good people in place.

What I learned did eventually turn out to be a big help in learning iPhone development. But, I was basically overwhelmed by about day 3. It's a lot to learn in a hurry. But, it was one of the best weeks I've had in years, and that includes some vacations.

The Cocoa Bootcamp will be a useful first step, but it will be framed in terms of Mac programming. Although root concepts will carry over for the most part, you will be learning about a number of things (ex: anything specific to Mac UI) that simply won't apply. So if you are going to spend that kind of money, I'd vote for doing the iPhone class. When I did the Cocoa Bootcamp, they were offering an Objective-C 2-day class at the beginning. If they offer that for the iPhone class too, I'd recommend it as well, depending on your comfort level with the language.

If you want to save money, look into the Stanford course on iTunes. That will allow you to go at your own pace. I haven't gone through the new one yet, but last year's was very good.

[saul102]

Thank you very much for the response!

I am planning to take the Beginning iPhone course which starts with 2 days of Obj-C and then flows into iPhone programming. It looks to be a good, comprehensive training course. Now I just need my director's approval to go, but I don't think that will be an issue.

I'll be reviewing and refreshing on C and C# between now and the training session to try to reduce some of the initial stress of the training.

Thanks!

[BrianSlick]

C# isn't going to do you much good other than maybe general OOP knowledge.

[saul102]

Well, I've gotten approval from work and confirmation from BNR, so I'll be headed to Atlanta in March!

I have ordered the Obj-C book that they recommend as a supplement to the training, so that I can crunch through as much as possible between now and then.

Thanks for your input!