Swift is a modern programming language created by Apple. This general-purpose programming language is quick and powerful while maintaining safety and readability.
This programming language is an excellent language to learn for anyone interested in iOS and MacOS development, as well as anyone who is new to coding. The full details about the Swift programming language are discussed in this blog post. So, if you want to venture into Swift or learn about this top-notch programming language, continue reading.
What is Swift Programming Language?
Swift is a modern, open-source programming language developed by Apple for their platforms. It was released in 2014 to create a language that is not only powerful and adaptable but also offers excellent safety, performance, interoperability with Objective-C, and modern syntax. Using Swift, developers can easily create sturdy and high-performance applications.
The most recent version of Swift is Swift 5.9.2. We can also utilize Swift to create software for phones, PCs, and servers. Swift is an excellent blend of modern thinking and different contributions from the open-source community. The Swift compiler is performance-optimized, and the language is designed specifically for development.
Why Learn Swift?
If you want to create an application for Apple’s ecosystem, Swift is for you. Swift enables you to build dynamic, imaginative, and powerful applications for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Apple prefers Swift as a primary programming language because of its current syntax, high performance, excellent safety, and compatibility with all devices.
Swift’s open-source nature and cross-platform interoperability allow us to design applications for Windows and Android as well. Cross-platform app development enables developers to build code and deliver it across several platforms, including Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin. Despite its versatility, Swift’s user experience may not be as frictionless as that of other programming languages such as C#,.Net, Java, Kotlin, and so on.
The Swift programming language originated as a milestone for developing user-friendly applications for Apple’s gadgets in a dynamic technological era. The need for Swift knowledge is skyrocketing, and the market is ripe with chances for experienced developers. Whether you are a seasoned Swift developer or a newbie, you will find many job chances with attractive packages. The typical annual compensation for a Swift developer is from 5L to 12L, but this might vary depending on location, position, and experience.
Numerous companies offer a nice package and working environment for Swift developers. It is impossible to list all of the companies that use Swift; however, several are:
- Apple
- Microsoft
- Amazon
- Airbnb
- Snapchat
- Adobe
- Slack
- Uber
- Netflix
- Swift Online Compiler
What is the Swift Programming Language Used For?
The first language to function well with Apple products was Objective-C. Initially, it was the ideal language for use on Apple devices. However, it was developed in the 1980s. By 2014, other programming languages had gained more capabilities that simplified development and accelerated program execution. Swift was released that year as an optional language for usage with Apple devices, and it included many of the current capabilities that developers had been yearning for.
Swift simplified things for programmers who had previously used Objective-C in the following ways:
- Swift eliminated the need for semicolons at the end of each line, which was required in Objective-C.
- In Objective-C, you had to specify the kinds of all variables before using them, whereas in Swift, types are inferred from the language.
- Swift made use of recent programming improvements, and Swift-written programs can run up to 2.6 times quicker than Objective-C.
- Swift is simpler to write and more concise than Objective-C. Swift apps require less than half the code of Objective-C applications.
- Swift is now open-source and cross-platform, so Swift programs can run on Apple, Linux, and Windows.
Swift Programming Language Examples
Below is an example of Objective-C code syntax:
#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>
int main(int argc, const char * argv[]) {
@autoreleasepool {
NSString *greeting = @"Hello, Objective-C!";
NSLog(@"%@", greeting);
}
return 0;
}
And here’s the same thing in Swift:
import Foundation
let greeting = "Hello, Swift!"
print(greeting)
Needless to say, the Swift programming language gained popularity and became the preferred choice of developers creating programs for Mac OSX, the Apple iPhone, the Apple Watch, and the Apple TV.
How Is Swift Used?
Swift soon replaced Objective-C as Apple’s most popular programming language. Let’s see how it’s used:
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iPhone and iPad application development
If you want to design an iPhone app that performs well and integrates easily with iOS, you just have two options: Objective-C and Swift. When it comes down to it, most developers prefer Swift because of the language’s current features, which make programming easier. Additionally, according to Apple, Swift is up to 2.6 times faster than Objective-C.
With more people accessing the Internet via mobile phones, having a mobile presence is critical for businesses. Swift is the most popular programming language for iPhone apps, and learning it is required to become an iOS developer.
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MacOS desktop app development
While Swift is most commonly used to create iOS apps, people still work on desktops and laptops. If you wish to make a desktop app for a Mac, you can use one of many other general-purpose programming languages or Apple’s older language, Objective-C. However, most Apple developers choose Swift. Swift simply works better on macOS than other languages because it was built to do so. As a result, Swift is used in a vast number of apps available on the App Store.
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Apple Watch Development
Over 100 million people possess Apple Watches. Over 35% of iPhone owners in the United States also have an Apple Watch. Watches have evolved, and watch apps are in high demand. Watches are no longer merely for telling the time. For many people, they’re an indispensable method to keep information on hand at all times, even when their phone isn’t nearby. Watches offer more functionality than phones since they are in close contact with your body and may collect biometric data such as heart rate and activity.
Swift allows you to create programs for the Apple Watch that may communicate with the user’s iPhone, collect biometric data, and more.
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Apple TV Development
Swift is also used to create apps for tvOS, the operating system that powers the Apple TV. Swift allows you to build visual experiences with 4K resolution, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos—and you don’t even need an Apple TV to run these apps. iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac all come with the Apple TV app preinstalled. You may use the Apple TV app to stream the app to the majority of smart televisions.
Swift is also utilized for game development on tvOS. Picture-in-picture, multiuser features, and game controller support are all included in tvOS, allowing Swift developers to create current video games.
Swift programming language course
If you want to design an iOS application and study Swift, you’ve come to the correct place. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the top online training classes for Swift that are also free.
1. Introduction to iOS 11 Development: Swift 4 and Xcode 9
This is an amazing course for novices who want to learn Swift so they may design iOS applications such as iPhone and iPad games. This course covers the most recent version of Apple’s operating system for iPhones, iOS 11.
The course will teach you the fundamentals of iOS 11 and Swift in a bootcamp setting. The course is free, but I’m not sure how long it will be free, as most of Udemy’s free courses are converted to premium courses once they meet their marketing goals. However, if you enroll in the course, it will remain free indefinitely, even if it is transformed into a paid course.
2. Swift from scratch—learn to program on iOS
This is another excellent Swift training for programmers. This course is neither short nor long, with over 1.5 hours of information, so you may do it in one day. The course not only teaches you the fundamentals of the Swift programming language, but it also includes various programming challenges and their solutions in Swift, providing a fantastic opportunity to practice coding in Swift.
3. The Complete Swift 4 Bootcamp
The Complete Swift 4 Bootcamp will teach you the fundamentals of the Swift programming language. It covers Swift 4, and you’ll learn about variables and data types, operators and functions, arrays and loops, structures and enums, classes and objects, and other object-oriented programming concepts. In short, it’s terrific training for someone new to both Swift and programming.