In 2014, Apple launched Swift—a programming language for iOS and its other operating systems—as a way to make development “easier, more flexible, and more fun.” It was positioned as an alternative to Objective-C, a language that had been at the core of development until that point.
While Objective-C still has a role in app development, demand for Swift expertise has started to overtake it; Swift recently ranked second in Upwork’s index of the fastest growing skills online. What does that mean for mobile app development? These posts from Upwork help put it in perspective.
Swift versus Objective-C
Developed more than 30 years ago, Objective-C is an object-oriented language that was used for both iOS and OS X operating systems. Because of this, a lot of established apps use Objective-C and some code adaptation is still needed to use Apple’s APIs—but it carries a lot of “baggage” and can be awkward to write.
“Swift is designed to be compatible with all of the existing iOS development tools—xCode, Objective-C, and the Cocoa framework.”
“Swift vs. Objective-C: A Look at iOS Programming Languages” explains the appeal of Swift and some of its key advantages, including its improved speed, maintenance, and compilers. Plus, it’s easier to learn—especially if you’re already familiar with languages such as C#, C++, JavaScript, Java, or Python.
Learn the basics of Swift on your own…
If you want to learn more about programming with Swift, Apple provides a collection of resources including eBooks, videos, and iTunes U courses from Stanford and Plymouth universities.
You can also link to long-standing e-learning resources in “4 of the Best Online Swift Courses for Developers.”
“Swift is friendly to new programmers,” Apple says in Swift’s introduction. “It’s designed to scale from ‘hello, world’ to an entire operating system.”
…Or find someone who’s already a pro
Whether you want to create a new app or migrate an existing app to Swift, an iOS developer can help ensure your project succeeds.
“There are numerous phases a mobile app developer will be integral during: design, coding, APIs and other back-end integrations, and testing.”
“How Much Does It Cost to Hire an iOS Developer?” explains what an iOS developer can do, what you should include in your project description, and typical rates charged by pros with different levels of expertise.
Want to learn more about mobile app development? Check out the latest in the Hiring Headquarters >>
The post Mastering App Development with Swift—on Your Own or with a Pro appeared first on Upwork Blog.
from Upwork Blog http://ift.tt/2kqfL2t
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