Learning iOS Programming, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2. Becoming a Developer

Before you start writing code, you’ll need to do some housekeeping. First, you’ll need to install Xcode, Apple’s development environment, as well as the iOS SDK. Both of these are available directly from Apple via the Mac App Store.

However, if you want to distribute your applications, or even just deploy them onto your own device, you will also need to register with Apple as a developer and then enroll in one of the developer programs. You’ll then need to create, download, and install a number of certificates and profiles to allow you to deploy your applications onto your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.

Warning

Developing applications for the iOS requires an Intel Mac running OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or later. However, if you want to develop applications that make use of iCloud, you will need OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later.

Let’s get these housekeeping tasks out of the way now so that you can get to the interesting bit—the code—as quickly as possible.

Registering as an iOS Developer

Until recently, the only way to obtain the iOS SDK was to become a registered iOS developer. However, you can now download the current release of Xcode and the iOS SDK directly from the Mac App Store.

Warning

If you are still running OS X Snow Leopard, then you need to register as an iOS developer and become a member of the developer program, and download Xcode 4 and the iOS SDK from the iOS Dev Center. The version of Xcode available on the Mac App Store is for OS X Lion only. We talk ...