Swift vs Objective C: which is best to develop iOS apps?
Wed Nov 20 2024
Developers
Swift vs Objective C: which is best to develop iOS apps?
Tazeen Fatima
If you're a developer specializing in creating native iOS apps, then you're probably well-versed in both Objective C and Swift. But if you're just getting started in iOS development, it is understandable to think about which language is the best way to go between Swift vs Objective C for your career.
As a developer, staying up to date on the latest programming languages is important. This is why at Remotebase, we prioritize learning over anything and strive to provide all the resources to our developers to upskill themselves and be future-ready.
To help you make a career in iOS development, we have prepared this guide with a thorough comparison between both languages along with their pros and cons and some frequently asked questions about them. By the end, you'll have a better understanding of when to use each language in your development projects.
Table of Contents
- Swift vs Objective C: What's the difference?
- The pros and cons of Swift vs Objective C
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to kickstart your developer career?
Swift vs Objective C: What's the difference?
The biggest difference between Objective C vs Swift is that Swift is a newer language. It was developed by Apple in 2014 as a replacement for Objective C. Swift is faster and easier to read and write than Objective C. It also requires less code than Objective C to accomplish the same tasks. However, because it's a newer language, there is less support for Swift than there is for Objective C. This means there are fewer resources available to improve developer skills for those just learning Swift.
The pros and cons of Swift vs Objective C
Swift
Swift Pros:
Swift is easier to read and write than Objective C due to its ability to eliminate the clutter that comes with traditional object-oriented programming languages like Objective C. As a result, Swift code is more concise and easier to understand.
Swift is faster and more efficient than Objective C because it was designed with performance in mind from the ground up. When you compare Swift vs Objective C performance on massive data sets, you can observe that Swift code runs up to 2.6 times faster than Objective C code.
Swift is more secure than Objective C as it eliminates many of the vulnerabilities that are common in traditional object-oriented programming languages. For example, Swift code doesn't suffer from buffer overflows, which can give attackers access to sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.
Swift Cons:
Swift requires more development time than Objective C as it's a newer language, and some kinks still need to be ironed out. In addition, fewer developers are proficient in Swift than in Objective C, so finding talent can be challenging.
Swift can be difficult to debug. This is because its syntax is often complex and confusing. As a result, finding and fixing bugs in your code can take a lot of work.
Swift isn't backward compatible with older versions of iOS. This means that if you want to target users who are still using older versions of iOS, you'll need to create two separate versions of your app - one for Swift and one for Objective C.
Objective C
Objective C Pros:
Objective C has been around for longer than Swift, so there's a larger pool of talent to choose from when it comes time to hire developers.
Objective C is more widely used than Swift. This means more resources are available when it comes time to learn the language or troubleshoot problems with your code.
Objective C is backward compatible with older versions of iOS, so you don't need to create separate versions of your app for different user groups.
Objective C Cons:
Objective C is more difficult to read and write than Swift, as its syntax is often convoluted and hard to follow. As a result, it can take longer to develop apps using Objective C.
Objective C isn't as fast or efficient as Swift because it wasn't designed with performance in mind from the ground up the way that Swift was. In addition, Objective C code can run up to 2.6 times slower than Swift code on massive data sets.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use Swift or Objective C for native iOS app development comes down to personal preference and project requirements, as both languages are a part of the 10 highest paying developer jobs. If you're looking for a language that's easy to read and write, then Swift is probably your best bet, but if you're targeting users who are still using older versions of iOS, then you'll need to use Objective C. And if speed and efficiency are your top priorities, then go with Swift.
However, we believe that everyone who wants to develop iOS apps should at least have a basic understanding of both languages. That way, you can easily work with legacy code written in Objective C and take advantage of all the modern features offered by Swift. Knowing both languages also deepens your understanding of iOS development as a whole. So regardless of which language you choose to learn first, remember to become fully proficient at it.
Once you are well versed in any of them, the next thing you should focus on is finding a suitable company to work at where you can earn and learn at the same time, like Remotebase, where learning never stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Swift and Objective C?
Objective C is a programming language that was created in the 1980s. Swift is a newer language that Apple created in 2014. Because it is newer, Swift has a more modern syntax and features than Objective C. It is also easier to read and write than Objective C.
Swift vs Objective C: which language should I learn first?
If you're starting from scratch, we recommend learning Swift first. However, if you're already comfortable with another programming language, you may find it easier to learn Objective C first because its syntax is similar to other C-based languages. Whichever language you choose to learn first, you'll be able to use both Swift and Objective C to develop apps for iOS.
What are the benefits of learning both Swift and Objective C?
There are several benefits of knowing both Swift and Objective C. First, it allows you to work with legacy code written in Objective C. Second, it makes you more marketable as a developer because you can work with code written in either language. Finally, knowing both languages gives you a better understanding of the inner workings of iOS development overall.