The Xcode toolset is Apple’s integrated suite of software development tools that includes compilers and applications, together with an extensive set of programming libraries and interfaces. The centerpiece of these tools is the Xcode application, which provides an elegant, powerful user interface for creating and managing software development projects. (Elsewhere in this document, the name Xcode usually refers to the Xcode application.)
If you’re new to using Xcode and you want to develop applications for Apple products, reading this document is a good way to get started. This document gives you an overview of the main features in Xcode and a hands-on introduction to creating an application. To get the most out of this tutorial, you should already be familiar with C programming and the Mac OS X user interface. You don’t need any previous experience developing software for Apple products.
To follow the instructions in this document, you must install Xcode on your computer. To download the latest version of the Xcode installer package, visit the ADC Developer Tools website.
Important: This document is targeted for Mac OS X v10.6 or later, and Xcode 3.2 or later. Before continuing, make sure your development environment meets these requirements. To find out which version of Xcode is installed on your computer, open the Xcode application (/Developer/Applications) and choose Xcode > About Xcode.
This document contains the following chapters:
“Xcode Features Overview” explores the major features by looking at an existing Xcode project. This chapter will help you master Xcode terminology and get familiar with Xcode’s layout so that you’ll be ready to create your own project.
“Xcode Workflow Tutorial” shows how to create a Cocoa version of a Hello World application. The tutorial is designed to show you the workflow that you'll use for creating your own software—from creating a project to getting an application to run. You'll also see how to fix compile-time errors and get an introduction to the debugger.
“Recommended Reading for Xcode Developers” points out some of the  most important resources for each phase of development—from the design of your software product to its delivery. 
“Finding and Viewing Documentation” provides an overview of the ways you can access, search, and view Apple’s developer documentation from within Xcode.
After reading this document, you may want to take a look at the Xcode documentation set that’s available from within Xcode by choosing Help > Xcode Help.
Last updated: 2009-07-22