AppleInsider Staff
"The second beta version of the iPhone SDK includes Interface Builder, Xcode IDE, Instruments, iPhone simulator, frameworks and samples, compilers, and Shark analysis tool," the company said on its iPhone developer website.
Thus far, the most significant changes appear to be the inclusion of a version of Interface Builder tailored specifically for the iPhone, as well as beta 2 of Apple's proprietary Xcode 3.1 integrated developer environment (IDE), which also serves as the primary IDE for Mac OS X-based application development.
For those unaware, Apple describes Interface Builder as an application for designing and testing user interfaces.
"Developers can use Interface Builder to create user interfaces that follow the Mac OS X human-interface guidelines by dragging user-interface elements from a palette of predefined controls and dropping them into the window or view they are configuring," the company says. "Interface Builder works closely with Xcode to provide a development experience that facilitates the concurrent but specialized development of an application's user interface and business logic."
The initial beta version of the iPhone SDK was released three weeks ago. It saw over 100,000 downloads from prospective developers and curious enthusiasts in its first four days.
Apple plans to release a finalized version of the SDK, along with iPhone software v2.0, in the June timeframe.
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
Wesley Hilliard
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Christine McKee
19 Comments
Definitely interested in feedback from members of the board as to the utility of the Interface Builder. My past experience dealing with Sun's bean box model was that you could build sexy demo-ware but it was pretty useless for real, compelling differentiated applications.
I am guessing that that won't be the case here but interested in hearing from developers as they use it.
Regards,
Mark
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My Blog: www.thenetworkgarden.com
Well, this should answer the person who I and others were arguing with about the SDK.
Yes, it is a beta. And, yes, Apple will be adding features. And, yes, you will be able to get them.
Definitely interested in feedback from members of the board as to the utility of the Interface Builder. My past experience dealing with Sun's bean box model was that you could build sexy demo-ware but it was pretty useless for real, compelling differentiated applications.
I am guessing that that won't be the case here but interested in hearing from developers as they use it.
Regards,
Mark
--
My Blog: www.thenetworkgarden.com
I'll download it when I get a chance, but in general Interface Builder has been the shining star of NeXT and now MacOS X software development. Unlike XCode/Project Builder, it's always been a best-of-breed tool. I have high hopes for its applicability to the iPhone/iTouch.
I dont do Mac specific code atm, but is there some other development environment that is better for Mac devs?
I have a great idea for an iphone app, but gave up after it took me 3 hours to put 4 stupid buttons properly on the iphone using their UIKit framework. Now that I can drag and drop ... I look forward to getting back to real coding and letting interface building take care of the look and feel of the app.