without knowing the answer, i'd imagine Objective-C is a spin-off of C and shares similarities; but with it's own differences (kind of like C in comparison to C++)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objecti...-C_and_C.2B.2B

i'd read this you know

but while I reread it, I found this to be the highlight: "Although Objective-C and C++ each employ a mix of both features, Objective-C is decidedly geared toward run-time decisions while C++ is geared toward compile-time decisions."


Can someone give me an example of certain applications that rely on quick run-time decisions, versus quick compile-time decisions?

I would imagine games, with all their extensive libraries should be optimized for compile-time. But what kinds of programs are dependent enough to be focusing Exclusively on run-time? (aside from iPod/iPhone apps)

and, Are these typically smaller applications that tend to focus on run-time as opposed to compile-time?

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Also, what are the greatest Differences and Similarities between C and Objective-C from a coding standpoint? I would imagine Objective-C shares A LOT of the syntax as found in C.

and, can Objective-C execute assembly line code? (like C and C++)

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Thank you.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2...-on-the-iphone

C is an "old" programming language. It is quite low-level, that means it is quite close to assembly and the machine code that actually runs on the processor. It is a procedural language. In a procedural language you focus on solving problems with step by step recipes. Recipes can be reused, this is called a function. As programs grow larger functions will typically be grouped out in separate files based on functionality.

Objective C keeps all aspects of C and allows you to build programs exactly the way you would do a C program if you want.

In addition Objective C adds syntax and semantics that allows for object oriented programming. Object oriented programming differs from procedural programming by focusing on grouping data and methods of manipulating this data in classes.

Usually you will be able to write any program using either C or Objective C, the difference is the approach you take to solve the problem. Some find it easier to think procedural for small problems, but objective oriented design has advantages when it comes to tackling large problems. First of all because it becomes easier to divide the problem into subproblems and submodules that can be developed and tested individually. Secondly because it is easier to reuse your own or other's modules.

As for the problem of remembering everything. For the vast majority of us it is impossible to quickly memorize all aspects of a programming language straight away. You're going to have to keep books and other documentation handy at all times. The best way to learn is to practice. Create small programs to test, learn and understand new things as you go along.

How difficult would you say it would be (generally speaking) to make the transition from C to Objective-C?

Will a background in C help before breaking into Objective C?

Knowing C will help you with almost any programming language.