This document provides an overview of binding Objective-C libraries for use in Xamarin applications. It discusses why binding libraries can save developers time and money. Although there may be potential obstacles like complexity, the process can be made simple without requiring Objective-C knowledge. Binding involves creating a static library and generating bindings, while converting requires more Objective-C expertise. The document demonstrates binding a simple QBFlatButton library as an example. It provides resources for learning more about binding and encourages practice to improve binding skills.

1. Binding Objective-C
Libraries
Pierce Boggan
Xamarin Support Engineer
pierce.boggan@xamarin.com
pierce@pierceboggan.com

2. Why?
• Time
• Money
• Creativity
• “Great artists steal”

3. Potential Obstacles
• Complicated
• Just another thing to learn
• No Objective-C knowledge
• No knowledge of the process

4. Simplicity
• No Objective-C knowledge is required (for most simple libraries)
• Tools that cut down time to bind
• Very mechanical, repeatable process

5. Binding vs. Converting
Binding
• Little-to-no Objective-C knowledge required
• Quick and straightforward
• Less customization and extensibility
Converting
• Objective-C knowledge is a must
• Quite tedious
• More customization and extensibility

6. Expectations
WON’T:
• Be a bindings expert
• Be able to bind complex libraries
WILL:
• Be able to bind simple libraries with no Objective-C knowledge
• Have a solid foundation moving forward

7. Finding & Downloading Libraries
WHAT:
• UI Controls
• SDKs
• Helper Libraries
WHERE:
• CocoaControls
• Github
• Twitter

8. First Time Downloads
• Objective Sharpie
• Xcode Command Line Tools
• Other SDKs to bind against

9. DEMO

10. QBFlatButton
• Open-sourced on Github
• Text version

11. Process Review
1. Identify & Download Library
2. Create an Objective-C Static Library
3. Generate Bindings with Objective Sharpie
4. Create iOS Binding Project in Xamarin Studio

12. Process Review: Optional
1. Create Demo Project
2. Open-source on Github
3. Submit to the Xamarin Component Store

13. Moving Forward: Reading Up
• Programming with Objective-C (Apple)
• Binding Objective-C Libraries (Xamarin)
• Binding Types Reference (Xamarin)
• .NET Framework Design Guidelines (Microsoft)

14. Moving Forward: Practice
• Remember: Practice makes perfect!
• Examine other bindings in the mono/monotouch-bindings
repository
• Make small additions/fixes to existing bindings
• Bind progressively larger libraries on your own

15. Q&A

16. THANK YOU