iOS holds a significant share of the global mobile operating systems market in 2024, and it is growing continuously year by year. Do you know why? Businesses see the advantages of developing iOS applications. These mobile apps are known for being fast, safe, high quality, and easy to use.

To build iOS apps, companies need to be careful in choosing the right technology. The two main languages used for creating iOS apps are Objective-C and Swift. Objective-C is an old language, while Swift is relatively new and safe, with many modern features. Swift is improving quickly, helping businesses stay updated with the latest trends in iOS app development. Many big companies are also using Swift for their iOS apps.

If you are starting a new business and want to know why you should choose Swift application development services for your next iOS app, this detailed post is for you. It explores the key features and benefits that make Swift the right choice for creating iOS apps. Before that, let’s quickly look at Swift in more detail.

The Rise of Swift for Building iOS Apps

Gone are the days when iOS app creation used to be tricky. Since Swift’s arrival, it has become the language of choice for building iOS apps. It is designed to make coding easier and faster. Writing code in Swift is fun for iOS programmers because it has a simple and clean syntax. Furthermore, it helps developers write code that is less likely to have errors. Swift has many modern features that keep the apps secure. It also allows an application development company to create apps that run smoothly. Swift borrows ideas from Objective-C and C but does not have the limitations that come with C. Overall, Swift is a great choice for companies planning to develop apps for iOS devices.

Key Features of Swift for iOS App Creation

Swift comes with exciting features that make it ideal for developing iOS apps. Listed below are some of them.

1. Easy to Read and Write

Swift has a simple and clear syntax which helps programmers to read and write code faster.

• Fewer lines of code to achieve the same level of functionality.
• Automatic type inference reduces the need for explicit type declarations.
• Consistent naming conventions for functions and variables.
• Supports functional and object-oriented programming styles.

2. Fast Performance

Swift is designed to be fast. It allows apps to run quickly and efficiently providing a better user experience. This is crucial for apps that need to perform complex tasks.

• Compiled language for native performance.
• Utilizes LLVM compiler infrastructure for optimizations.
• Supports 64-bit processors for enhanced performance.
• Designed to take benefit of modern hardware features.

3. Interoperability with Objective-C

Swift works with Objective-C, allowing developers to use both languages together. Here’s how it helps:

• Enables slow adoption of Swift in existing Objective-C codebase.
• Allows calling Objective-C APIs directly from Swift code.
• Supports mixing Swift and Objective-C in the same application.
• Provides a smooth transition path for developers familiar with Objective-C.
• Allows utilization of existing Objective-C libraries and frameworks in Swift projects.

4. Open Source

Swift is open-source in nature. This simply means it is available for free.

• Developers from all over the world play a role in its enhancement. This helps the language grow and improve.
• Being open source allows anyone to see the code behind Swift. This builds trust, as developers are able to review the code and understand how it works.
• Supporting resources, tutorials, and documentation are available online. This makes it easier for developers to get started quickly.

Also read – Swift vs. Objective-C: Choosing the Best Language for iOS App Development

Benefits of Swift for iOS App Development

Swift offers several benefits that make it a top choice for building iOS apps. Listed below are some of them.

1. Futureproofing

Swift is designed to keep up with technology, making it a smart choice for the future.

• Apple supports Swift, so it will keep working with new iOS updates.
• The language receives regular updates to add new features and improvements.
• Swift easily incorporates new programming trends and practices.
• As Swift grows in popularity, more developers will learn it, making hiring easier.
• Investing in Swift means investing in a language that is likely to remain relevant.

2. Safety and Reliability

Swift is designed to prevent common programming errors. This makes iOS apps safer and more reliable.

• It provides clear ways to handle errors, making it easier to write safe code.
• The language’s design reduces the likelihood of app crashes during use.
• It has a feature called “optionals” that helps manage missing values, preventing crashes.
• Swift checks types at compile time, reducing the chances of errors.
• Automatic Reference Counting (ARC) helps manage memory safely, preventing leaks.

3. Faster Development

Swift allows developers to write code more quickly, speeding up the entire iOS app development process.

• Swift’s clean syntax means developers need to write fewer lines of code.
• New developers learn Swift faster because of its simplicity.
• Swift handles memory automatically, so developers don’t have to do it manually.
• It’s easy for developers to quickly create prototypes to test ideas without extensive coding.

4. Modern Language Features

Swift includes many modern programming features that simplify coding and enhance functionality.

• Swift supports functional programming concepts, allowing for more flexible code.
• It supports dynamic libraries, which reduces app size and load times.
• It automatically deduces types, reducing the need for explicit declarations.
• The Playgrounds feature allows developers to experiment with code in a fun and interactive way.

Disadvantages of Swift for iOS App Development

1. Limited Third-Party Libraries

Swift is still growing, and there are fewer third-party libraries compared to older languages:

• Developers may find it harder to find ready-made solutions for common problems.
• Without existing libraries, developers may have to build features from scratch, which takes more time.
• Managing dependencies is often hard because there are fewer libraries.
• Older apps may not easily work with new libraries made for Swift.

2. Small Talent Pool

Even though the community is growing, there are still not many experienced Swift developers.

• Companies may have a hard time finding enough skilled Swift developers.
• Since the demand for Swift developers is high, their hourly rates are higher.
• Companies may need to spend money on training for developers to learn Swift.
• Some developers may not have enough experience with Swift to handle complex projects.
• As more companies start using Swift, it may become harder to find skilled developers.

Summing Up

Swift has become one of the popular languages for building iOS apps. It takes some useful components from Objective-C while also adding many new features. This allows programmers to write code that is safe and more reliable. If you also want to build an iOS app, seek help from a professional Swift mobile app development company.