Most of the iOS app development has been using the Swift programming language because it is developed by Apple itself. While Swift may be considered relatively new in the tech world, it’s quickly becoming the go-to choice for any iOS app development company looking for performance, safety, and scalability.
Easy to learn, simple to read, and impressively fast, Swift has transformed the way iOS apps are built. And it’s not limited to iPhones either. Swift supports development across Apple’s ecosystem: iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and even tvOS.
In this blog, we’ll explore what makes Swift so appealing and also highlight the areas where it still has room to grow.
What is Swift?
Launched by Apple in 2014 and made open-source in 2015, Swift is a powerful and intuitive programming language designed for Apple platforms and beyond. It’s clean, modern, and built to work seamlessly across various devices and operating systems.
Popular apps like LinkedIn, Uber, Airbnb, and Lyft have integrated Swift into their codebases to boost efficiency, improve safety, and reduce maintenance headaches.
Before Swift, Objective-C ruled the Apple ecosystem. But as developers struggled with its complex syntax and clunky debugging processes, Swift emerged as a game-changer. For instance, Lyft was able to shrink its original app’s code from 75,000 lines (written in Objective-C) to under 25,000 by switching to Swift.
Benefits of Swift Programming Language for iOS App Development
Faster
Apple claims Swift is up to 2.6 times faster than Objective-C, thanks to its concise syntax and high-performance LLVM compiler. Developers can build apps quicker and cleaner, meaning faster time to market and cost savings.
Simply put, fewer lines of code = less time writing = more time innovating.
Better Security
Swift is built with safety in mind. It’s type-safe and memory-safe, which means it helps developers catch errors early and prevents crashes due to uninitialized or incorrect data types. A shorter feedback loop also allows bugs to be identified and fixed on the spot, making Swift-built apps more stable and secure.
Work with Objective-C
Worried about starting from scratch? Don’t be. Swift and Objective-C play well together. You can easily integrate Swift code into existing Objective-C projects. That’s a huge plus for companies gradually modernizing legacy codebases without fully rewriting them.
Low Maintenance
One of Swift’s hidden gems is how easy it is to maintain. Unlike Objective-C, which splits logic across header and implementation files, Swift wraps everything into a single `.swift` file. This reduces duplication and boosts code readability.
One caveat: Swift requires some dependencies, especially if you’re building on Linux. But on macOS, it’s ready out of the box.
Better User Experience
Apps built with Swift tend to install faster and consume less device memory. That means smoother interactions, quicker loading times, and happier users overall.
Smart Memory Management
Swift uses Automatic Reference Counting (ARC) to manage memory efficiently. ARC automatically detects unused class instances and clears them out, freeing up memory without reducing app performance. The LLVM compiler also translates Swift into optimized machine code for even greater efficiency.
API Stability
Application Binary Interface (ABI) stability, introduced in Swift 5.1, allows different versions of Swift (and even Objective-C) to communicate. This makes it easier to build frameworks and libraries that can work across different Swift versions, leading to more scalable and sustainable app development.
Disadvantages of Swift Programming language in iOS App Development
New to the Market
Compared to Objective-C, which has been around since the ’80s, Swift is still maturing. Its ecosystem is limited to the third-party tools and libraries. While it’s improving rapidly, developers may occasionally run into roadblocks.
Binary Compatibility Issues
Despite ABI stability being a win, there can still be hiccups. For example, some older libraries might not integrate smoothly with newer Swift versions. Static libraries, once an Objective-C staple. They are not always as plug-and-play in Swift as you’d hope.
Limited Reflection
Swift doesn’t support full reflection like Java or Kotlin. While it offers a `Mirror` feature to inspect object structures, it lacks the ability to manipulate them at runtime. This can make tasks like dependency injection a bit more complex.
Real-World Swift Success Stories
Several high-profile companies are leading the way with Swift:
- Airbnb has taken the specialization of Swift and incorporated this programming language. It made the strong typing system and clean syntax for fewer bugs, also with reliable features.
- LinkedIn used Swift to overhaul its UI and memory usage for a smoother user experience.
Conclusion
Swift is quickly becoming the standard for building high-quality, scalable apps across Apple’s ecosystem. Swift makes that choice easier by offering modern development tools, seamless Apple integration, and an ever-growing community. Whether you’re updating an old app or starting fresh, Swift is definitely worth a serious look.
While it’s not perfect, and some limitations remain, the momentum behind Swift is undeniable. Companies like Twitter, WhatsApp, Kickstarter, and Eventbrite are already on board.
If you’re working with a mobile app development company or planning to start your own project, Swift offers the speed, power, and stability to turn your app idea into a polished, high-performance product.
