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For learning Objective-C, I'd recommend this book by the guys at the Big Nerd Ranch. I've had a look through it recently and it teaches you quite a bit of programming with C, then how to transfer that knowledge to Objective-C, using the Foundation + AppKit & UIKit frameworks. (Speaking of UIKit, have a look at the UIKit Framework Reference to see all the cool things you can do with it.)

With that said, knowing how to write apps != knowing how to write great apps. For that, you'd want to start by taking a look at the Human Interface Guidelines, which will teach you how to go about designing various UI features and how to make your software fit in on the platform you're developing it for, be it the Mac or iOS.

For learning a bit about designing the apps themselves, Tapworthy isn't a bad book to start with. I often hear people say that once they know how to code, they'll be able to make amazing apps for the iPhone, but if you ask me, learning how to program is the easy part. Making software work efficiently and beautifully is often a lot trickier than it sounds.

Other than all of that, I agree with xPaQx; Stack Overflow is an amazing resource with incredibly smart people willing to help out to the best of their ability, and has probably taught me more than any book has so far. Also, feel free to PM me with any questions you have – I'd love to help.

> (assume i have programming background in javascript/web front end.)

Um, are you sure you're ready to jump into iOS development?

Unless I'm reading this incorrectly, it doesn't seem like you have any C or OOP (like Java) programming experience. You'll definitely want to be at least comfortable with C-like syntax and message-passing, inheritance and objects, etc.

Actually, I'll have you answer that for yourself. Watch the first lecture in the iOS dev series from Stanford on iTunes. Around minute 11 the professor goes over what concepts you need to understand in order to be able to follow along with the course. If you don't understand all of the concepts listed, then you aren't ready yet.

Also, you've got to have a Mac. Have at least a Mac Mini (which are the cheapest Macs you can get refurb'd / used).

Here's what I would do assuming I am correct about your programming experience:

1. Learn C on the Mac.

It's for beginners, and will go over the basics of C. Objective-C, the programming language for iOS, is a strict superset of C, so they share a lot of syntax.

1.a The C Programming Language (recommended)

This one isn't for beginners, and is a bit stale, but is the de facto book for learning all of the intricacies of C. While it isn't absolutely necessary, the better you understand C (including pointers, memory, etc.), the easier time you'll have with iOS dev. I absolutely recommend going through it in its entirety, though this isn't necessary. It'll also be good to know C in the future if you plan to pursue software development.

2. Programming in Objective-C

This will teach you Objective-C, related OOP, and using XCode 4.

3. Beginning iPhone 4 Development

This will probably rehash some stuff related to Objective-C and XCode, but for the most part is a great introduction to iPhone development.

Use this book in tandem with the Stanford lecture series. Read the first few chapters, watch the first 2 lectures, do the homework exercises as if you were in the course along with the examples from the book, and just go from there. There might be some redundancy, but I think the combination of reading, listening, and doing will really help you understand the material.

If you need short tutorial refreshers at any point, Cocoa Dev Central is a great resource.

From there, you should be able to start making your own apps, and just use Google, StackOverflow, and http://developer.apple.com/ for all of your questions not previously answered or if you get stuck.

As you go through the process of learning all of these new programming concepts, try to develop ideas for what apps you want to develop. As you learn more, try to piece together how you would accomplish certain aspects of the ideas, and if you can, maybe even code the bits (like certain functions) you can.

There are no set milestones.. it's a gradual process of learning and getting better at programming and iOS development. Your goal should be to just create your own working app entirely based of your own ideas and work.

I think adding a reading list to this would be a good idea:
For intermediate iOS developers looking to take things to the next level I would recommend at least the following:

• Something for your basic objective-c knowledge
  
  Effective Objective-C 2.0 by Matt Galloway
  http://www.effectiveobjectivec.com/
  
  
• Something to properly understand Core Data
  
  Core Data for iOS by Tim Isted & Tom Harrington
  http://amzn.com/0321670426
  
  
• Something to understand user experience and usability
  
  Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug
  http://amzn.com/0321965515
  
  edit: formatting

You didn't ask me the question, but I'm learning with the same material.

• Paul Solt's course
  
• Big Nerd Ranch Objective-C programming
  
• Big Nerd Ranch iOS Programming
  
  I just finished working through the Big Nerd Ranch Objective-C book and found it extremely accessible and enjoyable. I started the iOS book yesterday and worked through five chapters - if you're genuinely interested in learning Objective-C and iOS these books are difficult to put down. Be aware that the newest edition of the BNR Objective-C is due at the end of November and the iOS book due at the end of December.
  
  Paul Solt's course provides video content that I have found to be beneficial supplementary content to the BNR books. Working through the book along with Paul's course has helped me cement the material. He posted a coupon to take the course for free ~1 week ago. Not sure the coupon is still valid or not.
  

I would start by learning the fundamentals of coding. I personally recommend the Big Nerd Ranch guide on Objective-C.

It does a really good job of explaining concepts.

This is the book we got for scratch and the kids seem to like it:
Coding Games in Scratch
And this is the Python book we have:
Learn to Program w Mincraft

Learning C first is a waste of time IMHO. The concepts of C that need to be understood for using the frameworks can be easily learned from a book like Programming in Objective-C.

Now for Cocoa or Cocoa Touch it really only makes sense to get the latest edition of any book related to this topic, as too much has changed over the last couple of years. Even a book from late 2011 would be obsolete in many ways.

Thus I would recommend resorting to online documentation, most notably Apple's Developer Website and start fiddling around with the given examples.

The Big Nerd Ranch guide to Objective-C Programming is what you need.

It covers the basics of C programming (variables, loops, etc.) before quickly moving on to Mac and iOS specific tutorials. Small book, short chapters, and easy to read.

I've seen the following recommended, I've not read them myself yet, so can't comment on how good they are or not:

Objective-C Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide (Big Nerd Ranch Guides)


Programming in Objective-C (4th Edition) (Developer's Library)

Another thumbs up to Big Nerd Ranch books. If you want to focus on Objective-C use the 4th edition of iOS Programming: https://www.amazon.co.uk/iOS-Programming-Ranch-Guide-Guides/dp/0321942051/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1462183605&sr=8-7&keywords=Big+nerd+ranch

I'm actually in almost the same exact situation as you are. I'm halfway through Big Nerd Ranch's Obj-C book and am looking to start creating apps as soon as possible. I actually purchased the Big nerd ranch iOS book today. Going to see how the book works out for me.