Xcode 3 or Xcode 4

Question

I'm starting to learn development for the mac (then I'll learn iOS development). I just buy an iOS developer program, and I see there are 2 IDEs available for download: Xcode 3.x and Xcode 4 (GM Status). So I don't know where to start. Site's says that Xcode 4 its now "integrated" so there is one app instead of 3, and that it's better for small screen because tabs and other features (I'm using a 13" macbook). But looking for books I see books only for 3.X. I'm a C# & .NET programmer, I know that the fundamental is the language and the framework (Cocoa) but I've been told that getting proficient with Mac Dev is getting proficient with Xcode.

I think that if I start with Xcode 4, then I'll learn on the "next" IDE and since I have no hurry I can wait until apps made with Xcode 4 are deployable (on the app store). But, maybe I'm wrong and I should start with Xcode 3 and the largest set of books and references available.

Any advice?

Answer 1

If you're trying to work your way through a "beginner" book, for sure you want to learn in Xcode 3. Things have all different names and locations in 4, and you'll be VERY confused trying to translate from the book's instructions to what you see on the screen without any context for any of it.

I'm still using Xcode 3. I've downloaded some of the 4 betas and they look quite nice, but the word on the apple developer forum is that even though it's called a GM, 4 isn't really ready for prime time.

Answer 2

If you are going to go through the big nerd ranch guide to iPhone programming, an awesome, awesome book, then you should use whatever version of xcode the book uses. My edition uses xcode3, but I think they have just released a new edition that covers xcode4. in the beginning, it's more important to use what the book does and grok the basics.

I learned on xcode3 and have recently switched to 4, it wasn't hard to switch but I would not recommend going through a book that uses xcode3 with xcode4.

Answer 3

I agree with @Dan's opinion basically. It should be better starting with Xcode3 with the books. Xcode4 has been changed very much enough to make you confuse. However I wish you have to know about this.

If you decided working long time against Apple's stuff, it's almost always better to keep following their advancement. Because Apple deprecates old technologies very aggressively. They sacrifices backward compatibility if needed. This is very uncommon behavior in IT industry, however Apple does.

If you don't follow, you'll realize your toolset is deprecated and not supported anymore at someday. And the day will come faster than you thought. For instance, Xcode3 is already seem to be deprecated. It has been archived and does not featured anymore on ADC. Maybe later version of OS/SDK update will not come with Xcode3. And iOS is updated very frequently.

And one more thing, Xcode3 is more suitable for small screen. Because it does not force you to see each utility windows in a screen. I used it with MacBook Air 13", and I could keep each windows maximum and switch each windows very fast with shortcut keys for editing/debugging mode. In 4, I'm forced all windows open with small sized. I'm feeling very uncomfortable. However you should switch to 4 at someday and you will feel huge uncomfortable.