If you want to learn to create applications you will need to know how to learn to program in Cocoa. Cocoa is an application environment which allows you to program applications for both the Mac OS X and the iPhone OS. It is the most popular application environment for the Mac OS X and it is the only method available for programming iPhone apps. Cocoa combines object-oriented software libraries, a runtime, and an integrated development environment to allow you to create successful applications for the Mac and the iPhone.http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/CocoaFundamentals/WhatIsCocoa/WhatIsCocoa.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002974-CH3-SW16 Mastering Cocoa will allow you to create whatever types of applications that you wish.

To learn how to program in Cocoa you must put in the time and effort to truly learn the entire application. There are a number of ways through which you can begin learning Cocoa and creating applications. The easiest way to become acquainted with working in Cocoa is to visit and read Cocoa-centric websites. There are many different websites which can introduce you to Cocoa, teach you how to work with it, and provide tutorials and lessons for you to follow. You can also learn Cocoa by reading some of the many available books on the subject. Lastly you can take classes in Cocoa, both online and at learning centers, to increase your skills and master the subject. If you put the time into learning Cocoa thoroughly you will soon be able to begin programming.

One of the easiest ways to begin learning how to program in Cocoa is to peruse websites devoted to the topic. These websites are just a click away and can provide you with all of the information that you need to begin learning how to program. Many websites will lay out the basics of Cocoa while others will go more in depth, providing you with clear and concise tutorials, lessons, and tips for programming.

The best place to start is with the Cocoa Fundamentals Guide provided by Apple, the creators of Cocoa. This guide introduces what Cocoa is, how it is used, and how to go about programming using Cocoa. It begins with an introduction to Cocoa followed by an explanation of Cocoa Objects, how to add behavior to a Cocoa program, Cocoa design patterns, and more. It also provides appendices and related documents that may help you to further your learning.http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/CocoaFundamentals/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002974-CH1-SW1

Another useful resource for learning Cocoa is the Cocoa Dev Central website. This site offers a wide range of articles and tutorials that explain every aspect of programming in Cocoa. Along with tutorials on such topics as “Learn Cocoa”, “Intro to Cocoa Graphics”, and “Saving Cocoa App Data”, they also offers links to Cocoa-related blogs and a forum where you can discuss Cocoa and programming.http://www.cocoadevcentral.com/

The O'Reilly Mac Dev Center also offers a large selection of how to articles and tutorials on all things Cocoa. This site is especially useful for learning from example how to program specific applications for specific uses. Some such tutorials and articles include “Build an eDoc Reader for your iPod, “BYOB: Build Your Own Browser”, and “Networking in Cocoa”.http://oreilly.com/pub/ct/37

Another great way to learn how to program in Cocoa is to read Cocoa-related books. There are many books on the market today which will teach you Cocoa programming in various formats, from books for beginners to advanced education for those already well versed in Cocoa. When starting out in your Cocoa education you should look for books for beginners and advance to more in depth books as you go along. Try to read book reviews before purchasing and see how well the books worked for others.

One website which is a good resource for Cocoa books is the CocoaBooks section of CocoaDev. This site will list all of the useful Cocoa books and provide you with a description as well as a rating system of whether you should buy it, borrow it, or bury it. They include free books as well as typical retail books on their list.http://www.cocoadev.com/index.pl?CocoaBooks

There are many different guidebooks available which teach programming in Cocoa. Some of the popular selections are Cocoa(R) Programming for Mac(R) OS X (3rd Edition) by Aarron Hillegass, Cocoa Programming: A Quick-Start Guide by Developers by Daniel H. Steinberg, Cocoa Programming Developer's Handbook by David Chisnall, and Learn Cocoa on the Mac (Learn Series) by Jack Nutting, David Mark, and Jeff LaMarche.http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_p_72_0?rh=i:stripbooks,n:!1000,k:Cocoa+programming,n:5,n:3839,p_72:1250221011&bbn=3839&keywords=Cocoa+programming&ie=UTF8&qid=1274543706&rnid=1250219011 Check your local library or bookstore for their selection of Cocoa books.

The most hands on method of learning to program in Cocoa is to take classes on the subject. Classes and lessons are taught both online and in learning centers. Online classes are the easiest to take as they don't require you to leave your home but some people may find it easier to learn in a classroom with a teacher who can work with them one on one.

About Objects, Inc. offers online classes in Cocoa and iPhone Development. Their Cocoa courses take five days to complete and cover such topics as “Object-Oriented Design”, “The Runtime System”, Windows and Panels”, and “Interface Builder”. Check out their official website for available courses. If none are currently available you can contact them to request a class.http://www.aboutobjects.com/training/cocoa/cocoa_programming_workshop.html

Many colleges and learning centers also offer Cocoa programming courses, be they independent classes or classes tied in to a computer programming major. Contact your local colleges to see what types of courses the may have available for you. Some colleges and learning centers offer both normal classes and online courses. Online courses combine the convenience of websites with the hands on learning experience of a classroom. For some this is the best option.