Introduction

The Xcode toolset is Apple’s integrated suite of software development tools that includes compilers and applications, together with an extensive set of programming libraries and interfaces. The centerpiece of these tools is the Xcode application, which provides an elegant, powerful user interface for creating and managing software development projects. (Elsewhere in this document, the name Xcode usually refers to the Xcode application.)

This document gives you an overview of the main features in Xcode 3.2 and a hands-on introduction to creating an application. To get the most out of this tutorial, you should already be familiar with C programming and the Mac OS X user interface. You don’t need any previous experience developing software for Apple products.

Organization of This Document

This document contains the following chapters:

• Xcode Features Overview explores the major features by looking at an existing Xcode project. This chapter will help you master Xcode terminology and get familiar with Xcode’s layout so that you’ll be ready to create your own project.

• Xcode Workflow Tutorial shows how to create a Cocoa version of a Hello World application. The tutorial is designed to show you the workflow that you'll use for creating your own software—from creating a project to getting an application to run. You'll also see how to fix compile-time errors and get an introduction to the debugger.

• Recommended Reading for Xcode Developers points out some of the  most important resources for each phase of development—from the design of your software product to its delivery. 

• Finding and Viewing Documentation provides an overview of the ways you can access, search, and view Apple’s developer documentation from within Xcode.