| A guide for UNIX developers who want accurate information on getting up to speed with Mac OS X and its software development environment, this book provides programmers all the information they need to understand and use the operating system, its development tools, and key technologies such as Darwin, Cocoa, and AppleScript. Users are introduced to the UNIX-based foundations of Mac OS X and shown how they fit into Mac OS X architecture. Also provided is coverage of both GUI and command-line software development tools, realistic programming examples that developers will encounter, and a discussion of Macintosh-style software development.
This book is about Mac OS X—specifically, the many UNIX1 features that compose and distinguish the system. It is also intended to introduce UNIX developers to the world of Mac OS X development environments, frameworks, and technologies. UNIX developers will find a lot to like about Mac OS X: its UNIX-based core operating system (called Darwin); its set of BSD-based commands and tools; its inclusion of traditional UNIX development tools like gcc, gdb, awk, sed, and Perl; and its development frameworks and technologies all provide a compelling platform for a UNIX developer. Collectively, these components and technologies enable you to create powerful and useful programs with modern graphical user interfaces.
This book is about Mac OS X, Apple’s new UNIX-based operating system. Specifically, it covers the operating system components and user interface, development tools, and programming techniques using key technologies such as Darwin, Cocoa, and AppleScript. The book was primarily written to help UNIX developers quickly come up to speed with Mac OS X and begin developing applications for the platform using Apple’s freely available development tools.
The book introduces the UNIX-based foundations of Mac OS X and shows how they fit into its system architecture. It also provides coverage of both GUI and command-line software development tools through realistic programming examples of the kind developers will encounter when building software for Mac OS X.
Though the book is written from a UNIX perspective, it is intended for anyone who is interested in the Mac OS X platform and wishes to learn more about the system and its development environment. If you do not have a strong UNIX background, don’t worry—the material is still accessible and provides a good background in understanding the UNIX foundations of the system. As you will see from this book and the considerable volume of information available elsewhere about Mac OS X, the platform is very good for application and system software development as well as general computing.
About the Author Kevin O'Malley is a software engineer at the University of Michigan’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory with over 12 years of experience in software development. He has developed software for embedded medical systems, vehicle simulation packages, online auction servers, and user applications using the UNIX and Macintosh operating systems. For the past five years, he has been software architect and lead developer of the Michigan Internet AuctionBot and the TAC software system. He has published articles in Dr. Dobb's Journal and IEEE Internet Computing. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. |
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