Tell me more ×
Programmers Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professional programmers interested in conceptual questions about software development. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 5 down vote favorite
5

I am a C#/.Net developer with 6 years of working experience and I have got some C++ background knowledge also. I have been thinking to learn iOS development. I want to know normally difficult the learning curve of iOS for a .Net developer? Normally how long will it take to be familiar with the tools and language (not to be an expert) weeks, months or years? Really appreciate if someone can point a best way to start with. I am planning to purchase and follow a video course online.

share|improve this question
13  
Josh Smith (a .NET guru) recently became an iOS developer and posted a blog article about his experience. Interesting read: joshsmithonwpf.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/… – MetalMikester Apr 27 '12 at 10:32

closed as not constructive by maple_shaft♦ Jul 18 '12 at 0:21

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

5 Answers

up vote 10 down vote accepted

The best informed site is: http://developer.apple.com/.They provide a whole section named iOS Dev Center. They even provide tutorials, users guides and reference manuals and IDE as well.

In iTtunes store/ iTunesU, there are some free lesson series you can start with them. Look for the latest one 2011 Fall.

how long will it take to be familiar with the tools and language (not to be an expert) weeks, months or years?

For Starting development as iOS developer, look iOS Developer's Roadmap for your answer that where do you stand. Then calculate learning time depending your efforts of learning as you know that you are experience developer.

Ref:
How & where to start iOS development?
Beginning iOS 5 Development: Exploring the iOS SDK

Edit: That alternate @Murph specified to more further with your current skill sets is also good. I am also work on Microsoft technologies, so i will look for some alternate in same programming domain as MonoTouch and for Android is MonoDroid.

Tutorials for MonoTouch at pluralsight is also available.

share|improve this answer
up vote 5 down vote

The other option that you need to look at is MonoTouch - which would allow you to make use of your existing skillsets

share|improve this answer
it doesn't really answer the question "how long to learn iOS dev", this answer is "how do I remain a .NET dev on iOS". – gbjbaanb May 2 '12 at 13:13
1  
@gbjbaanb I agree it doesn't answer the "how long" but it does address "best way to start with" and I profoundly disagree that one would not be learning to develop for iOS - although it is clearly the case that one would not have to learn Objective C etc (which is not at all the same thing as iOS dev) – Murph May 2 '12 at 15:03
up vote 2 down vote

**Update**

Josh Smith (the .net guru) has published a book: iOS Programming for .NET Developers You can check it out here: iosfordotnetdevs

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

I agree with Murph that MonoTouch might be a good option. (Apparently I don't have enough rep to comment on his post.) http://www.pluralsight-training.net/microsoft/Courses has some good content and a free trial.

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

Another option is to use a cross-platform HTML-based toolkit such as PhoneGap. It'll work on iOS and Android .. and several others too, and you'll be able to reuse your code for normal web too.

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.