Day 9 - The Human Interface Guidelines a must read

I finally finished the Lynda.com iPhone Development Application tutorials. What can I say; I need to go through them again. Sigh. :( There is simply too much information to understand on the first run. Mind you, I often had to stop and restart a section more than once to stay focused during the first time through.

In section 13, I found the answer I was looking for regarding the guidelines. Apple's Human Interface Guidelines document found in the Apple developer center ARE the specifications for building the application. This 136 page document is an absolute MUST READ and it will guide developers on what Apple will expect and except when reviewing an app for the app store. It's recommended that the guidelines be read in their entirety. Quick glances through it are not recommended.

Furthermore, another very important document that needs to be read is the iPhone Application Programming Guide, also found in the Apple Developer center at http//:developer.apple.com/iphone/library/navigation/Guides.html

Such specifics, as creating an interface app icon that MUST represent the app and match the 512 X 512 pixel app icon and its description that is sent to apple upon your release, are described here. Other specifications such as 57 X 57 pixel icon for the app, or that the iPhone only allocates 128MB for apps, which is shared with the iPhone OS! And such information as the size of screen real estate at 320 X 480 pixels, which is actually 320 X 460 because the status bar eats up 20 pixels, is all provided in the guidelines.

Memory is a critical aspect and issue when building an app. Objective C is centered on the allocation, initiation, and release codes that efficiently handle memory. Everything you have your app do will be centered on the memory it uses to do it.

Now, I must take the time to read all the way through both sets of guidelines and I'm still watching the Stanford iPhone Development course found on iTunes for free. I project that all of this initial research will be largely done by the end of this month.