Beginner Series: Swift Tutorial
The list of benefits for working with Swift is actually pretty short, but this is not a problem. The reason this list is shorter than most is because the language is so young. Therefore a lot of things that could be considered benefits, are also features of the language, and so they will be discussed elsewhere.
Swift is, hands down, one of the easiest languages to use. This is because Apple made sure it was extremely easy to use and read. Not to mention, error-handling tools are built-in to the language.
It’s also structured similarly to modern languages like Ruby and Python. If you have ever worked with those languages, or you do currently, you’ll find the crossover much easier.
Disadvantages of Working With Swift
Since Swift is a young language, there are some distinct disadvantages to go along with its many benefits. One should not look at these and consider them weaknesses, but merely a side-effect of that fact.
For starters, Swift is incomplete. Apple is still working on the language and adapting functions to fit their needs. This is exciting yes, because it means as a developer you will be able to grow with the language. However, the drawback is that it’s true potential will not be fully realized for quite some time.
Because it is young, it also means that both development tools and resources are limited compared to other languages. For example, if you want to work with Swift you’ll need to use the Xcode and the latest iOS SDK. For resources, you may only look to the official documentation for answers. Adversely, Objective-C has hundreds – if not thousands – of resourceful text and portals available, but then again it has been around for much longer.
In addition, Swift is aimed at younger programmers. It is similar in nature and structure to Ruby and Python. This means that if you migrated from one of those languages you’ll have a much easier time, especially since Swift is more forgiving.
For instance, it does not require the use of semi-colons at the end of each statement – Python is also like this. Objective-C, however, does require semi-colons, and forgetting them will always cause errors.
What Jobs Require Knowledge of Swift?
The most common job you’ll find with knowledge and experience of Swift is as an iOS developer. Most new companies will hire you even if you don’t have knowledge of Objective-C, however, it’s likely older companies will have apps they need ported to Swift, so you may also need experience with that language, as well.
The Best Place to Start Learning Swift
You won’t find many resources on Swift, because it’s so new. Therefore, the best place to start your learning journey is on the official portal. Be sure to check out their section on getting started with Swift, and then move on to documentation after.
Next, we’ll explore What Features Swift Has to Offer as a programming language.
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