The 8 best ios books of all time

A data-backed answer

🍏

Methodology

There are countless lists on the internet claiming to be the list of must-read ios books and it seemed that all those lists always recommended that same books minus two or three odd choices.

Finding good resources for learning programming is always tricky. Every-one has its own opinion about what book is the best to learn, and as we say in french, “Color and tastes should not be argued about”.

However I though it would be interesting to trust the wisdom of the crown and to find the books that appeared the most in those “Best ios Book” lists.

If you want to jump right on the results go take a look below at the full results. If you want to learn about the methodology, bear with me.

I’ve simply asked Google for a few queries like “Best ios Books” and its variations of. I have then scrapped all those pages (using ScrapingBee, a web scraping API I’m working on).

I’ve deduplicated the links and ended up with nearly 9 links. Using the title of the pages I was also able to quickly discards:

I ended up with almost 8 HTML files. I went on opening all the files on my browser, open my chrome inspector, found and wrote the CSS selector matching book titles in the article. This took me around 1hours, almost 30 seconds per page.

This also allowed me to discard even more nonrelevant pages, and I discarded a lot. In the end I compiled around 5 lists into this one.

Book titles were then extracted with manuel extraction and some web scraping.

I ended up with a huge list of books, not usable without some post-processing.

To find the most quoted ios books I needed to normalize my results.

I had to play with all the different variation like “{title} by {author}” or “{title} - {author}”.

Or “{title}:{subtitle}” and “{title}”, or even all the one containing edition number.

And afterquite a bit of manual cleaning.

My list now looked like this:

From there it was easy to compute the most recommended books. You can find all the data used to process this list on this repo. Now let’s take a look at the list:

I've also recently used some data from different book sellers in order to not forget important books and try to give more weight to books with incredible reviews.

‍

Results

8
)

Swift: The Complete Guide for Beginners,Intermediate and Advanced Detailed Strategies To Master Swift Programming

by
MG Martin
6.9
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Have you ever wanted to learn how to build IOS apps but don’t know where to start? Have you tried some of the IOS books and blogs but still you could not get to the end? Do you feel like you need some fundamentals skills in Swift for you to get started? Well, Swift is the new language for you. No need to struggle any more.

Swift will help you create both IOS8 and OSX apps in an intriguing and interesting way. If you happen to have some experience working with Objective-C, you might be asking yourself why shift to Swift.

After all, you have been creating better apps for OS X for some years. But, did you know that apple had something in store before they released Swift? Whether you are an experienced programmer or just starting out in iOS app design, this book takes you through all the steps of designing an iOS app.

If you want to learn how to create outstanding apps that will beat your competitor, this book helps you discover the secret. From Xcode and Swift, the foundation of modern iOS development, you will learn the building blocks of designing a great app so that you can dig deep into the app development.

The Swift programming language is innovative, safe and young. So, how do you stay updated with the latest information and avoid being left behind with the most recent developments? Inside you will find from Beginners,Intermediate and Advanced Principles of Swift Programming: Step by step instructions on building apps Sample XCode projects Basic Introduction to Swift Discover major design principles that define iOS user experience.

Manage data and manipulate images using effects and filters Latest changes to Swift 5.0 The ABI stability And many more... Don’t wait
”
Amazon.com
7
)

iOS 14 Programming for Beginners: Get started with building iOS apps with Swift 5.3 and Xcode 12, 5th Edition

by
Ahmad Sahar
7.4
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Learn iOS app development and work with the latest Apple development tools Key Features Explore the latest features of Xcode 12 and the Swift 5.3 programming language in this updated fifth edition Kick-start your iOS programming career and have fun building your own iOS apps Discover the new features of iOS 14 such as Mac Catalyst, SwiftUI, widgets and App Clips Book Description If you're a beginner looking to work and experiment with powerful iOS 14 features such as widgets and App Clips to create your own apps, this iOS programming guide is for you. The book offers a comprehensive introduction for experienced programmers who are new to iOS, taking you through the entire process of learning the Swift language, writing your own apps, and publishing them on the App Store.

Fully updated to cover the new iOS 14 features, along with Xcode 12 and Swift 5.3, this fifth edition of iOS 14 Programming for Beginners starts with an introduction to the Swift programming language and shows you how to accomplish common programming tasks with it. You'll then start building the user interface (UI) of a complete real-world app using the storyboards feature in the latest version of Xcode and implement the code for views, view controllers, data managers, and other aspects of mobile apps.

The book will also help you apply iOS 14 features to existing apps and introduce you to SwiftUI, a new way to build apps for all Apple devices. Finally, you'll set up testers for your app and understand what you need to do to publish your app on the App Store.

By the end of this book, you'll not only be well versed in writing and publishing applications, but you'll also be able to apply your iOS development skills to enhance existing apps. What you will learn Get to grips with the fundamentals of Xcode 12 and Swift 5.3, the building blocks of iOS development Understand how to prototype an app using storyboards Discover the Model-View-Controller design pattern and how to implement the desired functionality within an app Implement the latest iOS features, such as widgets and App Clips Convert an existing iPad app into an Apple Silicon Mac app Design, deploy, and test your iOS applications with design patterns and best practices Who this book is for This book is for anyone who has programming experience but is new to Swift and iOS app development.

Experienced programmers looking to explore the latest iOS 14 features will also find this book useful. Table of Contents Getting Familiar with Xcode Simple Values and Types Conditionals and Optionals Range Operators and Loops Collection Types Functions and Closures Classes, Structures, and Enumerations Protocols, Extensions, and Error Handling Setting Up the User Interface Building Your User Interface Finishing Up Your User Interface Modifying and Configuring Cells Getting Started with MVC and Collection Views Getting Data into Collection Views Getting Started with Table Views Getting Started with MapKit Getting Started with JSON Files Displaying Data in a Static Table View Getting Started with Custom UIControls Getting Started with Cameras and Photo Libraries Understanding Core Data Getting Started with Apple Silicon Macs Getting Started with SwiftUI Getting Started with Widgets Getting Started with App Clips Testing and Submitting Your App to the App Store
”
Amazon.com
6
)

Programming iOS 13: Dive Deep into Views, View Controllers, and Frameworks

by
Matt Neuburg
7.9
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
If you’re grounded in the basics of Swift, Xcode, and the Cocoa framework, this book provides a structured explanation of all essential real-world iOS app components. Through deep exploration and copious code examples, you’ll learn how to create views, manipulate view controllers, and add features from iOS frameworks.

Create, arrange, draw, layer, and animate views that respondto touch Use view controllers to manage multiple screens of interface Master interface classes for scroll views, table views, text,popovers, split views, web views, and controls Dive into frameworks for sound, video, maps, and sensors Access user libraries: music, photos, contacts, and calendar Explore files, networking, and threads Stay up-to-date on iOS 13 innovations, such as: Symbol images Light and dark mode Sheet presentation Diffable data sources and compositional layout Context menus and previews Window scene delegates and multiple windows on iPad Want to brush up on the basics? Pick up iOS 13 Programming Fundamentals with Swift to learn about Swift, Xcode, and Cocoa. Together with Programming iOS 13, you’ll gaina solid, rigorous, and practical understanding of iOS 13 development.
”
Amazon.com
5
)

iOS 13 Programming for Beginners: Get started with building iOS apps with Swift 5 and Xcode 11, 4th Edition

by
Ahmad Sahar & Craig Clayton
8.3
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
A step-by-step guide to learning iOS app development and exploring the latest Apple development tools Key Features Explore the latest features of Xcode 11 and the Swift 5 programming language in this updated fourth edition Kick-start your iOS programming career and have fun building your own iOS apps Discover the new features of iOS 13 such as Dark Mode, iPad apps for Mac, SwiftUI, and more Book Description iOS 13 comes with features ranging from Dark Mode and Catalyst through to SwiftUI and Sign In with Apple. If you're a beginner and are looking to experiment and work with these features to create your own apps, then this updated fourth edition gets you off to a strong start.

The book offers a comprehensive introduction for programmers who are new to iOS, covering the entire process of learning the Swift language, writing your own apps, and publishing them on the App Store. This edition is updated and revised to cover the new iOS 13 features along with Xcode 11 and Swift 5.

The book starts with an introduction to the Swift programming language, and how to accomplish common programming tasks with it. You'll then start building the user interface (UI) of a complete real-world app, using the latest version of Xcode, and also implement the code for views, view controllers, data managers, and other aspects of mobile apps.

The book will then help you apply the latest iOS 13 features to existing apps, along with introducing you to SwiftUI, a new way to design UIs. Finally, the book will take you through setting up testers for your app, and what you need to do to publish your app on the App Store.

By the end of this book, you'll be well versed with how to write and publish apps, and will be able to apply the skills you've gained to enhance your apps. What you will learn Get to grips with the fundamentals of Xcode 11 and Swift 5, the building blocks of iOS development Understand how to prototype an app using storyboards Discover the Model-View-Controller design pattern, and how to implement the desired functionality within the app Implement the latest iOS features such as Dark Mode and Sign In with Apple Understand how to convert an existing iPad app into a Mac app Design, deploy, and test your iOS applications with industry patterns and practices Who this book is for This book is for anyone who has programming experience but is completely new to Swift and iOS app development.

Experienced programmers looking to explore the latest iOS 13 features will also find this book useful. Table of Contents Getting Familiar with Xcode Simple Values and Types Conditionals and Optionals Range Operators and Loops Collection Types Functions and Closures Classes, Structures, and Enumerations Protocols, Extensions, and Error Handling Setting Up the Basic Structure Building Your App Structure in Storyboard Finishing Up Your App Structure in Storyboard Modifying and Configuring Cells Getting Started with MVC and Collection Views Getting Data into Collection Views Getting Started with Table Views Getting Started with MapKit Getting Started with JSON Files Displaying Data in a Static Table View Getting Started with Custom UIControls Getting Started with Cameras and Photo Libraries Understanding Core Data Saving and Loading from Core Data Getting Started with Dark Mode Getting Started with MAC Catalyst Getting Started with SwiftUI Getting Started with Sign In with Apple Testing and Submitting Your App to the App Store
”
Amazon.com
4
)

Hello Swift!: iOS app programming for kids and other beginners

by
Tanmay Bakshi
8.3
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Summary Hello Swift! is a how-to guide to programming iOS Apps with the Swift language, written from a kid's perspective. This approachable, well-illustrated, step-by-step guide takes you from beginning programming concepts all the way through developing complete apps.

(Adults will like it too!) Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. About the Technology It's fun to play games and explore new things on your iPhone.

How amazing would it be to create your own apps? With a little practice, you can! Apple's Swift language, along with special coding playgrounds and an easy-to-use programming environment, make it easier than ever. Take it from author Tanmay Bakshi, who started programming when he was just five years old.

About the Book His book, Hello Swift! iOS app programming for kids and other beginners, teaches you how to write apps for iPhones and iOS devices step by step, starting with your first line of Swift code. Packed with dozens of apps and special exercises, the book will teach you how to program by writing games, solving puzzles, and exploring what your iPhone can do.

Hello Swift! gets you started. Where you go next is up to you! What's inside Crystal-clear explanations anyone can understand Kid-friendly examples, including games and puzzles Learn by doing--you'll build dozens of small apps Exercises that encourage critical thinking About the Reader Written for kids who want to learn how to program.

(Psst! Adults like it, too.) About the Author Tanmay Bakshi had his first app on the iOS App Store at the age of nine. He's now the youngest IBM Champion, a Cloud Advisor, Watson Developer, Google Developer Expert, TED Speaker, and Manning author! Table of Contents Get ready to build apps with Swift! Create your first app Your first real Swift code using variables I/O laboratory Computers make decisions, too! Let computers do repetitive work Knitting variables into arrays and dictionaries Reuse your code: Clean it with function detergent Reduce your code: Use less, do more with class detergent Reading and writing files Frameworks: Bookshelves of classes SpriteKit: Fun animation time Time to watch your WatchKit code Continuing your journey with Swift
”
Amazon.com
3
)

iOS App Development For Dummies

by
Jesse Feiler
9.9
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
If you’ve got incredible iOS ideas, get this book and bring them to life! iOS 7 represents the most significant update to Apple’s mobile operating system since the first iPhone was released, and even the most seasoned app developers are looking for information on how to take advantage of the latest iOS 7 features in their app designs. That’s where iOS App Development For Dummies comes in! Whether you’re a programming hobbyist wanting to build an app for fun or a professional developer looking to expand into the iOS market, this book will walk you through the fundamentals of building a universal app that stands out in the iOS crowd
”
Amazon.com
2
)

iOS 13 Programming Fundamentals with Swift: Swift, Xcode, and Cocoa Basics

by
Matt Neuburg
10.5
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
Move into iOS development by getting a firm grasp of its fundamentals, including the Xcode 10 IDE, Cocoa Touch, and the latest version of Apple’s acclaimed programming language, Swift 5. With this thoroughly updated guide, you’ll learn the Swift language, understand Apple’s Xcode development tools, and discover the Cocoa framework
”
Amazon.com
1
)

iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide

by
Christian Keur & Aaron Hillegass
11.2
% recommend
🛒   Buy
“
iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide leads you through the essential concepts, tools, and techniques for developing iOS applications. After completing this book, you will have the know-how and the confidence you need to tackle iOS projects of your own.

Based on Big Nerd Ranch's popular iOS training and its well-tested materials and methodology, this bestselling guide teaches iOS concepts and coding in tandem. The result is instruction that is relevant and useful. Throughout the book, the authors explain what's important and share their insights into the larger context of the iOS platform
”
Amazon.com

Conclusion

I hope that you liked this list. Please do not hesitate to check out the other ones I've published.

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