JerryBeers.comCustom iOS Development

Whenever a new version of the iOS SDK is released, one of the first things I do is copy all the sample code released with that version to it’s own directory. This allows me to browse the samples more easily and open them all from a common location without having to open them one-by-one. Here is how we do that:

1. Open Xcode preferences and choose the Documentation tab. Pick the new library and show information on it (the arrow in the lower left corner opens the info pane). Click the link for the Installed Location to open Finder to that location.

2. The file that stores the documentation for this iOS version is a docset. The one we want should be highlighted. Right-click and choose “Show Package Contents”.

3. Browse to Contents/Resources/Documents/samplecode inside the package. This is where all the code and html for help is located. Now we just need to get the code out of the folders.

4. Search at that location for filenames containing zip. That will show you just the zip files under that directory. Then you can select all, copy to a location you choose, I use a folder under my documents directory, and then extract the zip files (use Command-O to open them with all the files selected in the new folder). Now you should have a folder tree with all the sample code there ready for you to browse. Happy coding!

Great post from Greg Fiumara about using iAds and still deploying to pre-iOS4 devices.

This app is going to save me a ton of time making screenshots for HandiBible. http://www.curioustimes.de/iphonesimulatorcropper/

Some of the icons in HandiBible 3.1 came from The Working Group. You can see the full set here: http://blog.twg.ca/2009/09/free-iphone-toolbar-icons/. Thanks!

Sometimes it really helps to be able to copy and paste in a column format instead of lines. Say you have a bunch of statements like this:


[[myObj1 alloc] initWithVal:10];
[[myObj2 alloc] initWithVal:20];
[[myObj3 alloc] initWithVal:30];


Now there are a lot of reasons you might want to copy those numbers, but let’s say you don’t like having the constants inline, so you want to pull them out into #define statements, like this:


#define value1 10
#define value2 20
#define value3 30


You could just retype the numbers or copy/paste the line and delete the rest of the line, but this is where column selection shines. Simply hold down the option key before starting the selection (Note: if you start dragging first, it won’t work). The cursor changes to a plus. Then select the column of numbers and cut. Before you paste them to your new lines, you will need to create the blank lines. Unlike traditional copy/paste, it will not insert the lines for you. Now add the #define and names. Finally, use column selection to copy the names and paste them back in the original lines. The paste will insert the names right in place with the original code.

Kevin did a video review of the upcoming update to HandiBible. Thanks, Kevin!

http://www.kevinpurcell.org/archives/804

Recently, I have been working with Concepta Systems, which has developed FillAnyPdf.com. The site has had some great press, including website of the month in Popular Science magazine (read more).

One of the great features of FillAnyPdf is the ability to embed a fillable pdf form on your own site. Here is an example:

Click to Save Data and Start New Form

Or you can simply link to the form, like this:

Employment Application

You might think that if you add the jquery js file to your project, you can build and reference it from html you load into a UIWebView. That’s what I thought too. Here are the steps you need to take.

1. Add the jquery file to resources. Drag the file in, right-click and choose to add an existing file. Whatever you are comfortable with.

2. The file will be automatically added as source code. In Xcode under Targets, expand the target you are working on and you’ll find two groups, “Copy Bundle Resources” and “Compile Resources”.

3. Drag the file from the “Compile Sources” group

to the “Copy Bundle Resources” group.

This tells Xcode to package the file up and include it with your app as a resource instead of compiling it.

4. Include the reference to jQuery in your HTML.

html = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"<html><head><script type='text/javascript' src='jquery-1.4.2.min.js'></script></head><body>%@</body></html>", body];

5. Set the baseURL using the path to your jQuery file.

[myWebView loadHTMLString:html baseURL:[NSURL fileURLWithPath:[[NSBundle mainBundle] pathForResource:@”jquery-1.4.2.min.js” ofType:nil]]];

That’s it. You can now make jQuery calls in your code.

Poker Night is an iPad app that makes poker with your buddies more fun. You don’t have to hassle with counting chips any more. Just put Poker Night on your iPad in the middle of the table and let it handle keeping track for you. Check it out in the app store. itms://itunes.apple.com/us/app/poker-night/id364895238?mt=8

Version 1.1 of JamSession has just been approved by Apple and will be live in the app store soon. This update allows you to download new songs for free. With this functionality, we plan on adding new content for you to play along with. If you like JamSession, please review it in the app store and tell your friends to keep the content coming.

Thanks for all your support!

JamSession title screen

Downloads are all free

16 total songs are available for playing in JamSession (more to come soon)

You choose what instruments to play along with

We have some great contributors to this project