iOS 7 App Development Essentials

Book excerpt: Beginning with the basics, this book provides an outline of the steps necessary to set up an iOS development environment. An introduction to the architecture of iOS 7 and programming in Objective-C is provided, followed by an in-depth look at the design of iOS applications and user interfaces. More advanced topics such as file handling, database management, in-app purchases, graphics drawing and animation are also covered, as are touch screen handling, gesture recognition, multitasking, iAds integration, location management, local notifications, camera access and video and audio playback support. Other features are also covered including Auto Layout, Twitter and Facebook integration, event reminders, App Store hosted in-app purchase content, collection views and much more. New features of iOS 7 are also covered, including Sprite Kit-based game development, local map search and user interface animation using UIKit dynamics. Fully updated for iOS 7 and Xcode 5, the aim of this book, therefore, is to teach you the skills necessary to build your own apps for iOS 7. Assuming you are ready to download the iOS 7 SDK and Xcode, have an Intel-based Mac and some ideas for some apps to develop, you are ready to get started.