Hello everybody,
I'd like to start developing cross platform mobile apps and chose the Xamarin tools. I have a computer science degree and enjoyed programming while doing my degree and for a few years after graduation. The problem is that I haven't done programming for many years because my career is now more management than anything else...
I used to develop in C++ and Java primarily and learned Object Oriented programming. I am now wanting to gradually learn it all again and get introduced to C#, how to use it for mobile app development and learn the Xamarin tools. I am quite aware that this is going to be a steep learning curve because it has been a long time since I have touched serious development work but I do recall most of the best practices, concepts, etc.. I just need to refresh my memory and learn all the new paradigms and concepts of the last few years.
I have a hectic life and self learning by reading books and online tutorials is the way I believe I will get most of what I need at the time I need it. Can you guys recommend / guide me to the "must read" books / documents / online training in the best sequence possible so I learn everything in a structured meaningful way? Assume I have zero knowledge of C# and iOS.
I suspect that first I will need to learn and read a good introduction book to C#. Then potentially read one more orientated to using C# for mobile app development and finally, after finishing those 2, probably it would be good to start reading Xamarin documentation and understand how the tools work, development environments, testing tools, any good mobile emulators to test the code, etc.. So in summary, can you tell me what your recommended study plan is in the best sequence possible including:
Books, online documents, any training material I can download, videos, etc?
The other thing I would appreciated anyone explaining to me is: from reading some of the xamarin website I believe I can only compile and deploy code to iOS if I have a mac computer because I will need Mac OS X mountain lion (and above) to compile the code, is that right?
I have no experience in the MAC world, only windows / linux OSes. I currently have Windows 8.1 and installed the Xamarin development tools. I was thinking to potentially install a MAC OS X mountain lion or mavericks virtual machine and use it to do any iOS code compile and deployments and use my existing windows OS to compile and deploy to windows mobile phones and android. Unfortunately I don't believe Apple lets you legally have Mac OS X of any kind in virtual machines unless you have it on a MAC computer which currently I don't have... IF anyone knows this to be untrue, then please let me know! I want to do things the legal way of course...
In terms of compiling for Mac, is there any online compile services I can use ? that is a possibility I thought could work pointing my Xamarin environment to an online compiler for iOS...
Does the Xamarin development environment include a way to preview your apps without having to deploy them into actual android / iphone etc.. devices? I suspect the answer is yes, but just want to check.
I am obviously trying to keep costs down and avoid having to buy a mac but if that's the best and only legal route then I'll buy one. What kind of HW spec for mac would I need to buy? I don't want to buy a super mac, only one that is perfectly suited for mobile app development...
Apologies for the wall of text and multiple questions but I do want to know the experts' opinion before I start spending money on learning material, software, hardware etc..
Best regards, Luis.