Synopses & Reviews
Learn to create iPhone and iPad apps and widgets that users will love!Dashcode lets you build widgets and Web apps with powerful user interfaces for the iPhone, iPad, and the Mac OS X desktop. If you have just a nodding acquaintance with JavaScript, this book will have you building great Dashboard and Web widgets in no time! You'll understand what users want and how to put the parts together, integrate data, and add the finishing touches.
Get acquainted with Dashcode — learn to use the built-in features, as well as the tools that help you work with them
Focus on data — examine the essentials of effectively organizing and presenting data
Get your hands dirty — work through three sample apps from setup through working with the template and testing
Make it even better — use advanced techniques to refine your app and monitor its performance
Add Dashcode to your marketing mix — learn how to use Dashcode apps to promote your product or service and engage your fans
Open the book and find:
Things to keep in mind about developing apps for viewing on the iPhone or iPad
Dashcode's development tools
How to use Dashcode templates
Tips on creating intuitive interfaces
What you can do with XMLHttpRequest
Advice on navigating through data
How to create a widget that interacts with a Web site
Help with debugging your code
Learn to:
Create Web apps and Dashboard widgets for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac OS X
Incorporate graphical elements available in Dashcode
Add video and work with spreadsheets and databases
Deploy your widgets through the Apple Web site or your own online offering
Synopsis
Create widgets and Web apps for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac OS X with DashcodeDashcode is a software application that makes it quick and easy to create dashboard widgets and Web apps for Mac computers, iPhone, and iPad. Widgets and Web apps connect users with content from the Web such as Twitter feeds, movie showtimes, news updates, and more. Dashcode provides a library of graphic elements and standard code that you just drag-and-drop into your app, and this guide shows you how to use it to bring your idea to life. Learn to create, customize, and distribute your apps, even if you're a programming novice.
- Dashcode provides a quick and easy way to create dashboard and Web widgets for Apple devices
- This guide shows you how to use the built-in Dashcode tools, including graphical elements and functional code, to create Web apps using your data
- Learn to customize your app, add media, retrieve data from Web services for your app, and deploy your widgets
- Even if you're new to programming, you can learn to create and distribute widgets with Dashcode
Dashcode For Dummies gets you up and running with this cool tool for creating unique Web apps and dashboard widgets.
About the Author
Jesse Feiler provides consulting services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. He is the author of iWork For Dummies and has written several books on FileMaker and Mac OS X. Check out Jesse's blog at www.northcountryconsulting.com.
Table of Contents
Introduction.Part I: Introducing Dashcode and How You Can Use It.
Chapter 1: Exploring the World of Apps and Widgets.
Chapter 2: Getting to Know Your Development Tools.
Chapter 3: Creating Your First Dashcode Project.
Part II: Constructing Your Projects’ Pieces and Parts.
Chapter 4: Inspecting the Inspector.
Chapter 5: Working with Library Parts.
Chapter 6: Behaving Well with Buttons.
Chapter 7: Viewing the Interface.
Chapter 8: Finishing Up in Style.
Part III: Integrating Data.
Chapter 9: Working with Data Sources.
Chapter 10: Binding Data to your Dashcode Project.
Chapter 11: Using XMLHttpRequest to Get Live Data When You Need It.
Chapter 12: Navigating through Data.
Chapter 13: Preferring Preferences for User Options and Saving Data.
Part IV: Trying Out Each Environment.
Chapter 14: Creating a Browser Safari Application.
Chapter 15: Creating a Multilevel Navigator for Mobile Safari.
Chapter 16: Creating a Custom Web App/Dashboard Widget for a Web Site.
Part V: Refining Your Project.
Chapter 17: Adding to Your Code.
Chapter 18: Improving Your Interface.
Chapter 19: Testing and Monitoring Your Work.
Part VI: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 20: Ten Tips for Creating Better Apps and Widgets.
Chapter 21: Ten Simplifi cations for Your Apps and Widgets.
Appendix: JavaScript Quickies.
Index.