Should I learn Objective C?
 

Hi. I heard about a language called Objective C the other day, and I was wondering if it was worth my time to learn it. Could any proponents or critics of the language give me any valuable insight on the subject?

My background: I've mostly programmed in C++ and Java, though I also have some background in C, Perl, assembly, and a few other languages. I general, I like "high-level" application programming and am a big OOP fan. I really like the Java programming language, though I'm not such a big fan of the implementation.

My preferences and concerns:
- Is there any proprietary licensing attached to the language or its implementation?
- I love garbage collection when it is transparent and easy to use
- a very natural OOP interface.
- I rely heavily on polymorphism
- enough community library support to create graphical games and applications in a Linux environment

There is a standard answer to questions like this:
If you don't know why--or whether--you need something, then you probably don't need it.

I tend to learn languages only to solve specific problems. I do often just dabble out of curiousity, which you could certainly do. But, if you don't have lots of free time, stick with letting the problem come first.

Well, I need /some/ language to do my programming in. Java is nice, but it kind of sucks that the implementation is proprietary. I could keep programming in C++ forever, of course, but if there is a better option for my needs, I'm open-minded. I found out about Objective C when I was looking into implementing garbage collection in C++, but before I dive head first into Objective C I would appreciate any pros or cons from people that actually have some background using it.

I was also considering Objective-C because I both want a low-level OO language, and because I think C++ sucks because of it's confusing syntax and duplication of C's features.

So I would also like to know if Obj-C is any better for general Linux programming, the reasons I'm hesitant the way it is so related with Apple and this "*step" stuff I don't understand, and because I can't find any good tutorials.

There is free/open source Java implementation.

Isn't Objective C widely used by Apple ?

if u own an iPhone,then learn it so u can make your own aplications ;)

I second that. Some ppl make $600 a day on iphone apps.

If this be the case, please make divulging the details the priority of this thread. I am still very new to Java, but I was under this distinct impression: the Java language itself can be used freely, and there is even a FOSS version of the development kit, but the Virtual Machine itself is quite the property of Sun and cannot be legally distributed in a modified form, meaning that ultimately proprietary software must be used in order to run Java code. But if I am the slightest bit mistaken on the point, I will gladly herald my ignorance and have my misconceptions corrected.

Merciful heavens, there are some clean-room JVMs! I'm installing one now call "kaffe". I hope it works as it should. But I wonder if any of these can be used for in-browser applets... would I need to find new browser plugins?

I am not a Java guy; I remember that a couple (?) years ago RedHat got Java stack (based on 'gcc' Java backend) certified. I.e. the whole open source Java stack got certified.

Isn't Sun's implementation open source as well?

Java (software platform)

Objective C is a *great* alternative to C++!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objective_C

Also take a look at GNUStep:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNUstep

So the answer to your question is:

"Yes! By all means - go for it!"

IMHO .. PSM

But anyway, WHAT is GNUStep, and everything else *Step?

Hi, MTK358 -
Among other things, "NextStep" was what Tim Berniers-Lee used to write the very first web browser:

I still don't get what it is. Is it a desktop environment, an API, an compiler, a "pre-compiler", an IDE, or some strange mixture of the above?