Pricing and Dates

$1195 Alumni and Groups of 5+
$1495 Early Bird!
$1795 Regular

Would you like us to notify you about the next course coming in February 2009?

The Cocoa Studio is a hands-on workshop for developers who want to start building custom applications for Mac OS X. It's also a great way to learn the language and tools you'll need to start writing iPhone applications.

  • Learn how to use Objective-C and Cocoa to write native Mac OS X applications.
  • Gain first-hand experience with Xcode and Interface Builder.
  • Get a jump start on iPhone development!

Taught at one of Denver's premier training facilities, you'll learn from two experienced Cocoa developers and authors.

What Will I Learn?

How to use Cocoa to create GUI applications. This isn't a boring language reference course. It's an interactive workshop where you'll build a Cocoa application from start to finish. Some of the topics we'll cover include:

  • Introduction to Objective-C 2.0: Start writing object-oriented Objective-C programs and use the Foundation classes (data types, collections, etc.)
  • Creating GUI Applications with Cocoa: Learn the common Cocoa frameworks and MVC design to build GUIs using key-value coding, bindings, delegation, notification, observers, and events.
  • Xcode and Interface Builder: Watch and learn how to design user interfaces visually in Interface Builder, connect everything in Nib files, and write and build code in Xcode.
  • Core Data: Persist and query application-level data in a relational database.
  • Core Graphics: Create and manipulate images and other graphical elements.
  • Core Animation: Add stunning animations to help your application stand above the crowd.
  • Networking and Web Services: Get connected and share information with other applications over the wire.
  • Performance Tuning with Instruments: Learn the power tools, including Instruments and gdb, to help make your application sing.
  • And Much More!... practical tips, tricks, and techniques used by the experts to work efficiently and build full-featured Cocoa applications

In addition to the prepared topics, we'll leave ample time for discussion and collaborative learning.

Who’s It For?

Programmers. This Studio is taught by programmers for programmers. Over the course of numerous hands-on programming exercises, you'll be using Xcode and Interface Builder to write applications in Objective-C and Cocoa.

This Studio is right for you if:

  • You’re currently programming in an object-oriented language
  • You have a laptop running Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
  • You want to build native applications for Mac OS X
  • You want to get a head start on building iPhone applications

You don't need prior experience with Objective-C, and there's no need to have ever built an application with a graphical user interface, whether for the Mac or any other platform.

Who Teaches the Studio?

Daniel Steinberg and Bill Dudney. In this premiere Studio, you'll learn directly from two experienced Objective-C and Cocoa developers:

Daniel Steinberg

Daniel Steinberg is the author of the book Cocoa Programming: A Quick Start for Developers and the editor for the new series of Mac Developer titles for the Pragmatic Programmers. He writes feature articles for Apple's ADC web site and is a regular contributor to Mac Devcenter. He has presented at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference, MacWorld, MacHack, and other Mac developer conferences. (photo courtesy of Patrick Lenz)

Bill Dudney

Bill Dudney is a software developer and entrepreneur currently building software for the Mac. Bill started his computing career on a NeXT cube with a magneto-optical drive running NeXTStep 0.9. He's the author of iPhone SDK Development, Core Animation for OS X and the iPhone, as well as a series of iPhone development screencasts. He has several iPhone applications currently selling on the App Store.

“I learned a lot, and the instructors were both very knowledgeable and able to clearly explain complicated concepts. Well done!”

—Jeremy Vinding

What's a Studio Like?

Studio Experience

Interactive Learning. You'll learn in a significantly different way in a Studio than by reading through the books. Attending a Studio complements what you may have read, but in a hands-on, collaborative environment where you'll:

  • get your questions answered by the experts and your peers
  • learn through hands-on programming exercises
  • discuss up-to-date topics, tips, and tricks
  • discover new techniques in live coding sessions
  • reinforce the concepts you've learned in the books

We think Studio offers the best developer training around. But don't take our word for it. Just ask our alumni. Check out their reviews and applications they've built! The Studio experience continues after the Studio with our members-only alumni mailing list.

“The strictly guarded Alumni group is one of the best programming resources I have ever seen.”

What Should I Bring?

Prag Studio Attendees

Your Mac Laptop. It wouldn't be a programming workshop if you didn't walk away having written some code. A few weeks before the Studio, we'll send out detailed instructions for installing everything you'll need. During the Studio, you'll get hands-on experience working through prepared exercises, and experimenting on your own, too.

Your Registration Includes

  • A continental breakfast and full lunch each day
  • A binder with all the printed material
  • Internet connectivity and power during the Studio
  • Access to our alumni-only mailing list
  • Discounts on books, screencasts, and future training
  • A stylish t-shirt and other goodies!

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