March 5, 2010   iPad, iPhone, iPhone Apps, iPhone Tips, News, Video

revMobile: write iPhone and iPad apps without knowing Objective C

One of the biggest barriers to entry for people who want to develop their own iPhone apps is the requirement to actually know how to program in Objective C. Runtime Revolution (AKA RunRev) has been developing and marketing a HyperCard-like development environment since 1997.

To quote the company’s site, “Rev uses plain-English words and phrases for most of its operations, eliminating the obscure symbols and complicated structures required of other programming languages. Rev is easy to learn and use, requires 90% less code, and can deliver a 10-fold increase in productivity over traditional languages.”

What does this have to do with developing for iPhone and iPad? The answer is simple — the company is stretching the development environment to the mobile computing market with a new product, currently in pre-alpha, called revMobile. For developers who want to market their products to the widest possible range of mobile devices, revMobile not only supports the iPhone and iPad world, but Nokia’s Maemo platform and Windows Mobile 7 as well. Since apps can also run on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux, this represents a very robust development environment. The video at the top of this post shows a simple game being conceptualized, designed, and written in a little over 3 hours.

RunRev has always been compiled at runtime, but for the purposes of getting RunRev apps into the App Store, revMobile apps are going to be compiled at build time so that a single executable is available for submission. You can find out more about revMobile, including pricing and availability, at the RunRev website.

revMobile: write iPhone and iPad apps without knowing Objective C originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)revMobile: write iPhone and iPad apps without knowing Objective C originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[via | The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)]

  • lazicdusan9

    You are good coder! :D

  • Derekcanskate

    @RunRevLtd Yeah, thanks. Guess it’s time to look into a macbook..

  • kuwaizair

    how does one make one of those “makers” and dress up doll apps? where you can color your own doll/animal and put cloths on it like a paper doll

  • RunRevLtd

    @iMacAnge hi there. You’re right, it’s not xcode, it’s an alternative programming tool and language called LiveCode. It’s much easier to use (and much faster as you saw) than xcode. You can try it for yourself at runrev.com

  • RunRevLtd

    @Derekcanskate hi there, sorry about the delay in getting back to you. You can only deploy to iOS from the Apple OS – this is a restriction that Apple have in place regardless of the tool/programming language you use. The apple tools will only work on Apple OS. Hope this helps.

  • iDuubstep

    3 hours 16minutes? thats precise…

  • Derekcanskate

    Hey runrev, nice guide. I was just wondering if you need to be running an apple OS to code apps. Can I do it in windows??

  • iMacAnge

    Which software are you using to code? That does not seem to be xcode.

  • jokkett

    what coding is that

  • LightningDonkey

    How do you win (or lose) or get high scores on this game? All I see is dragging sheep into a box, with no merit or consequence…

  • mexicanmansam

    very good but you should think about making it less cluttered by adding more classes.

  • macheads202

    The final product is a fucking screamer. Don’t watch.

  • theonlytix

    @RunRevLtd Hi there, I go to the link runrev.com/academy_september/i­ndex.html, but it said “404 Not Found”. I’d appreciate if you could guide to the correct link. I have a unique idea for an app, but just don’t know how to program it. I have already done a thorough search and found none similar to my idea. Again, I’d appreciate if you could help guide to the working link or help build the app. Please contact me @ lehhugh@gmail.com, so we can discuss further about the idea. Thanks.

  • lucianoinso

    one question , at the begining it says that ben doesnt even know objective c, what was all that coding wroten on?

  • lucianoinso

    awesome, didnt knew that it was that visual to make iphone apps

  • BAben61

    My names ben.

  • RunRevLtd

    @ghostinktv Hi Kevin. At RunRev we don’t build apps for others, but provide you with the tools to built it yourself. Some of our customers are professional developers who take on project work, you can get a list here: runrev.com/support/consultants/Or, you might like to learn how to build apps yourself. we can teach you, here: runrev.com/academy_september/index.html

  • RunRevLtd

    @herbalteadavid thanks for the question. For this video Ben designed at 320 x 480 at 126 PPI in photoshop. However, since the iPhone 4 release Ben suggests designing at 1024×768 at 326 PPI and then scaling down for the iPhone 3, 4 and iPad. It ensures that you have high res artwork no matter the device. You could also design in illustrator to take advantage of vectors making the design future proof – but Photoshop is usually quicker. Hope this helps.

  • herbalteadavid

    what are the dimensions u set on photoshop again?? i need to do the design part for my school project on photoshop.. plz help

  • ghostinktv

    I need an built ASAP can you helpAbmbllc@aol.comKevin

  • Timeisnear1

    You are trying to tell someone you can do it very fast, do you know that you wasting time and source.

  • bloodraidersXD

    i spend that much time on a toilet

  • RunRevLtd

    thanks @ninek31500. Want to impress by making something like it yourself.. check out our Academy – runrev.com/academy_september/index.html

  • ninek31500

    Damn ! Nice work man !

  • ipodduim

    So this mean that i can do that too?Don’t think so, i don’t know how to write these code’s and all other shit

  • waqarhameed113

    best way to made apps with out experience /watch?v=njXSGAurJiM

  • sanamarican

    give me a fucking pizza and i will do it in 3 seconds.

  • nick41324

    @xLimitzzzz ya i know i saw it in the app store. i was about to download it but it said i need 3.1.3 software. i have 3.1.2

  • xLimitzzzz

    @nick41324 its called sheep herder

  • nick41324

    nver mind i just tried to download it but i need 3.1.3 software… i have jailbroken 3.1.2

  • nick41324

    whats the app called!! i wanna download it

  • juliusbtran2

    thumbs up if you downloaded the app

  • alearg89

    @xXDEJECTEDXX Will like to know this as well

  • mkaragoz1907

    işsizlik başa bela

  • Deathbringer3557

    @xXDEJECTEDXX Japanese and gamesalad jap edition

  • xXDEJECTEDXX

    What language is he writing in and what program did he use?

  • luke19099

    OMFG hes shaking and playing it OMG that meens…Ben: OMFG I MADE MY FIRST iPhone App ever YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*STARTS PLAYING IT LIKE A RETARD*BEN: YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY TROLOLOLOL!XD

  • chroprs

    @mrisump no one sed he never programmed before. they sed he never made a IPOD Game before.

  • EddieTheTryHard

    @pxpc2Okay one. You can develop any iOS app from a PC.Two. You can add said app to the app store from a a PC. Three. I would rather develop an app from a in Flash CS5 or using a toolchain than use Xcode! (Hugely restrictive!)I built my first app in Flash CS4 (Virtual Desk – A collection of desktop essentials) since removed from the app store with the new firmware, hardware etc.My point, only an idiot would say you *must do something from one OS, or that one OS is better than other.

  • whammy5

    What’s the age limit to create and sell apps? And can you create them on windows?

  • vancar6

    Sorry, but no knowledge in OBJECTIVE C, I had knowledge in C before I started Objective C and trust me, it is not a 3 hour job to make your first app, it takes longer.

  • thethug1000

    @pxpc2 yeah what mshartz said, they just tryna get all the money they can so fall back dude, i nvr even said windows was the best…

  • mshartz5

    @OgrAdaYI have a Mac mini and it compiles very slowly. I would prefer to have a beefy computer that compiles quickly.My laptop (Linux based OS) has the hardware of a $4000 macbook and I purchased it for $500. Apple has become greedy and developers know this. Sadly the lesser experienced computer users have no idea what their restrictions are doing. They just say, “Get a Mac!”

  • mshartz5

    @pxpc2 This has nothing to do with Windows being compatible with XCode, but rather XCode being compatible with Windows. This is Apple (again) imposing restrictions in order to profit more.I own/use Mac OSx, Windows 7, and Ubuntu Linux. Sorry to say it, but Apple is doing what EVERY developer loathes: restricting technology development. They used to be the good guy but have quickly become the bad guy.

  • mshartz5

    Step 1: Get a high paying job.Step 2: Work for 6 months to 1 year Step 3: Buy a Mac computerStep 4: Learn the only code you can useStep 5: Make an appStep 6: Wait 3 months for Apple to verify your applicationStep 7: Look for app on app storeStep 8: Call Apple supportStep 9: Be told your app was rejected because it had one function that linked to a websiteStep 10: Release app on CydiaStep 11: Design in JScript for all other smart phonesStep 11.1: Design in HTML5Step 12: Profit.

  • pxpc2

    @thethug1000 stop thinkin this guy will help to put one application you need in-mac appstore, NO APPSTORE AVAIBLE for windows, this is only for mac guys you can code it with windows but to put into the app store you need a mac. But in windows theres no Xcode, you got to get another BAD programming software. FUCK windows people that says windows is the best while they use OS stuff like everything from apple. If you have an iPhone you cant say windows is the best if your using something from APPLE

  • MrSup619

    How about Serious Sam , Halo Reach , and Hitman on the iPhone/iPod.Who likes my idea.

  • heavyduty718

    this is not sheep or lamb. It is Bologna!!

  • OgrAdaY

    @thethug1000 xcode is only avalible for mac. my advice= GET A MAC

  • themecman01

    i have an idea for a game if anybody knows how to make it a reality?

  • itheisverdendk

    @winningfreak1 ok :)

  • thethug1000

    @Omar12345660 how you make on windows??

  • breakingLAX

    @Omar12345660 yeah how can i make it for windows?

  • Omar12345660

    Want to do it and easier way and make it work with windows? Comment on this and i will PM (private message) the link to you.

  • KYLEsTooSEXY

    @luke21ob it says he doesn’t know objective c..

  • mrisump

    @luke21ob What about you read my other comment “douche”? “So, I’m a retard because I read the part at the intro that said “Ben has never written an iPhone app before . . .”, and then shorten it down to “Ben never programmed before”?Interesting.”If you took the time to read shit you dumb ass you would realise this.

  • luke21ob

    @mrisump read the opening line you douche, it says that he has never made an iphone app not that he has never programmed before. if you took the time to read shit you dumb ass you would realise this.

  • winningfreak1

    @itheisverdendk time runs out

  • itheisverdendk

    And how does you lose the game?

  • oberning1

    @IpswichPKerJoe It says that he’s never programmed in objective C, but you can create iPhone apps in (practically) any programming language you want, so your the dipshit…

  • IpswichPKerJoe

    @oberning1 Youre a complete dipshit, it says it at the begginning

  • stijnxd

    lol Ben is amazing

  • SNOWHEROXDDX

    cool

  • Ishcoa

    How can you create any application of any sort without knowing anything about coding and objective c?

  • briceDew

    Okay..nice but what’s the purpose of the app ? Drag n drop sheeps ? lol

  • orer6

    did u sell that app?>

  • k4vglitcher

    Get a free itunes $25 dollars gift card for free. Get an FREE app called checkpoints at the app store for your ipod or iphone and use the code “k4vglitch” without the quotes for the free Gift card. Huryy before they block it!!!

  • MrUnknownMan5

    @B0xer302 nope,only apple computers have the software to create apps

  • mrisump

    @oberning1 So, I’m a retard because I read the part at the intro that said “Ben has never written an iPhone app before . . .”, and then shorten it down to “Ben never programmed before”? Interesting.

  • oberning1

    @mrisump Your retarded, he never once said that he didn’t know how to program… All they said was that no thinking, planning coding, or design work was done before…. so on and so forth… it said they never came up with any ideas or codes FOR THIS GAME!!! that’s it…

  • oberning1

    @ProgrammingLinguist Your retarded “programming Linguist”, he never once said that he didn’t know how to program… All they said was that no thinking, planning coding, or design work was done before…. so on and so forth… it said they never came up with any ideas or codes FOR THIS GAME!!! that’s it…

  • B0xer302

    Is there any way to make an iPhone app with windows?

  • ZahidGdmli

    U can creat only a suck app within 3h 16 mins :D

  • theheavysoldier

    You guys do realize that he isn’t using the normal xcode program to program his app right?, that’s what’s this video is about. the creators of this video made an application for the mac that allows you to easily make iphone and ipad apps.

  • Bahzad23

    so whats the point of the game?

  • shookz78

    what program?

  • kld0093

    Can I make one in Windows ?

  • abzyglamzy14

    haaha i got this :P .

  • math110c

    @ProgrammingLinguist no one said he never coded before, they just said that they didn’t do the coding BEFORE THE CHALLENGE.

  • catherinegomis

    3 hours and 16 minutes?Sounds like sheep shit to me.

  • jarfilli

    @98cwc Thats the point he wasn’t programming in objective C. It uses the runrev frontend and compile to objective C.

  • healthy777

    Can any one make me an app- that peeps can d/l from my site and then when they d/l on phone it will go to MY site–Regards, Thx

  • MrVrso5

    really productive application :D

  • BIOHAZARDANTE

    its free on the app store and its called sheep herder. (ya it is actually real)

  • kasuka8

    Cool nice job Your speed in coding is amazing lol If that’s on the app store I’m going to get it right now just becauseDepends how much it costs tho

  • 98cwc

    Theres no way that you have no experience with objective c and did all that. Thats just a freakin lie. I know a decent amount of it and cant do it that fast. If you think the this video was crap thumbs down

  • AppleAppStore101

    This would have taken 20 mins with the iPhone SDK….You suck run rev

  • AdamsThoughts

    i don’t understand the point of this video. it’s not an impressive game, nor is it useful for anyone to spend only 3 hours building an app in the first place. you might as well have made it a single screen that changes from black to white when you touch anywhere, you could have done it in 30 minutes and saved yourself the 2.5 hours while still “making an app”.

  • j12di

    I don’t see it in the search bar for app’s :(

  • DOOMXOOX

    stupid what is all codes he typeing it where he know all this

  • TheMatrix179

    @Netritenium no

  • pro3455255

    this probably tooks 20 lines of codeawakefromnib:setAcceptsMouseMovedEventsimage = [NSImage alloc] initWithContentsOfFile:: sheep.pngmouseMoved:LocationinWindow:sheepif location in center: rect point++setupdateDisplaydrawRect:sheep drawInRect: new locationif (pointScored) destroy sheepelsecreate new sheepthe end

  • DarthMeg

    I saw design and i thought “Ok, this could be easy with a little help and inspiration.”I look at coding and im like “-_-”

  • ProgrammingLinguist

    *doesn’t know objective-c*writes a game in objective -c in 2 hours and he never once looked at an online tutorial in that video.i call bullshit

  • sdowney22

    can you make your own app if you only have a 5 year old g4 ibook?

  • s360tard

    awsomei get how to do it but i dont know what softwars to get