iCloud with Core Data - Beginning iOS Cloud and Database Development - page 112

Chapter 6

iCloud with Core Data

In this chapter you will learn the fundamentals of integrating iCloud with Core Data. I start by
explaining what Core Data is and then move on to the new features recently added to Core Data
and iCloud. Next, we will add another section to our app, which utilizes Core Data as its data store.
Finally, we will integrate this new section to iCloud.

What Is Core Data?
Core Data, at its base, is an API developed by Apple to handle interaction with a local data store.
The Core Data framework provides numerous features. Here are a few:

 Change tracking and undo support

 Relationship maintenance

 Automatic validation of property values

 Schema migration

 Full, automatic support for key-value coding and key-value observing

 Grouping, filtering, and organizing data in memory and in the user interface

There are so many more important features than can be named here. To learn more you can visit
the Developer Center at http://developer.apple.com . I would also recommend picking up the
book, Pro Core Data for iOS by Michael Privat and Robert Warner for an in-depth look at Core Data
technologies and how and why to use Core Data.

Apple has made great strides to make iCloud integration into Core Data applications easier than
ever. The following sections discuss some of those changes.

113