# Back-end

Swift vs Objective-C for iOS programming: Features and Differences

Red Rocket TeamSep 25, 20245 min read

When business owners decide to develop a mobile app, they have to consider a lot of factors. First, what kind of app will be created - corporate or customer-oriented? The second step that needs to be considered in detail is the choice of devices on which the app will be supported. Many entrepreneurs simply choose to develop apps for Android devices because it is cheap. However, this is wrong and you should not ignore your customers who own Apple gadgets.

Statistics show that the use of iPhones is prevalent among the population in the United States of America. About 58% of them use phones that run on the iOS operating system. Another interesting fact is that the audience with Apple gadgets is believed to be more solvent than Android users. All these are clear signs why you should not ignore mobile app development for iOS devices.

However, now you may have a question what programming language are iOS apps written in? Actually, developers are practically not limited to anything. However, they are used to using two options to write apps for Apple - Swift and Objective-C programming language. Of course, for beginners, choosing the ultimate technology stack for iOS mobile app development can be quite a daunting task. However, the choice of programming language will determine how the product will be realized and how high quality it will be. Subsequent support, updates, and maintenance also depend on it.

Do you want to know the detailed difference between these two software languages so that you can choose the best option for your own purposes? You have come to the right place, where we will talk about what is Objective-C, what are the features of Swift and how these two software languages differ in real life.

Background and Core Features of Objective-C Programming Language

Before we go into this topic in detail, we suggest starting with the basic question «what is Objective-C programming language». This is a rather complex language with a high entry threshold, on which a huge number of applications for macOS, iPad and iPhone are written.

A distinctive feature of this language is that it is an extension for another programming language - C. Despite the fact that recently Objective-C has been significantly inferior to the more progressive, simple and convenient Swift, Apple's development is still relevant and arouses interest.

Brief History of Objective-C

It all started in the early 70s of the last century. At the dawn of programming, the structural paradigm of code writing was used. This architecture implied that all programs were built on three constructs: sequence, branching and loop (plus subroutines). This methodology had a significant disadvantage, which became more and more obvious as programs became more complicated - the code became more and more confusing. There appeared to be a necessity in some technology that would allow using the code more rationally.

One of the first object-oriented languages with dynamic typing - Smalltalk - became such a solution. Taking the main principles of Smalltalk as a basis, Objective-C was created. Brad Cox is considered to be the creator of Objective-C. In the early eighties, he tried to make a programming language that would solve the problem of code repeatability. Objective-C was built on basic assumptions: a class is an independent full-fledged object, message passing between classes, and dynamic typing. The most important thing that distinguished this language was its flexibility. A programmer could write code in C and then just insert it into Objective-C, and the program would work.

Features of Objective-C

So, it's time to talk more about the features, capabilities and functionality of this language. Today there are many skeptics who say that this language is obsolete. Let's take a look at its features to refute such a myth.

Object-oriented approach.

Objective-C has objects and implements the basic principles of this approach. This allows you to write in the object-oriented paradigm and realize its features: to make objects independent of each other.
Dynamism.

Objective-C is a compilable language: a program in it is first built in a compiler and translated into machine codes, and then executed. However, this language is dynamic and so it has more options in terms of flexibility.
Flexible memory management.

Most modern languages manage memory automatically. But older ones, including Objective-C, allow you to allocate, clear, and control memory manually.
Working with threads.

Objective-C supports multithreading. This is an approach when processes in a program are divided into several «flows», and each one solves its own task. This way complex processes are realized faster and more efficiently.
Focus on Apple gadgets.

Objective-C is rarely found outside the Apple ecosystem. Therefore, it is mainly studied by those who want to develop applications and services for iOS or macOS.

Are there any drawbacks to the Objective-C programming language? We want to point out right away that any language, framework, or programming tool has disadvantages. For example, Obj-C lacks the ability to work with the declarative area namespace. There is also no multiple inheritance here. And one more point - the dynamic start mechanism makes optimization methods unusable and reduces performance.

Background and Core Features of Swift Programming Language

Now it's time to tell you more about the next generation for iOS app development. What do you know about Swift today? We have prepared for you a lot of interesting and useful information about this programming language so that you can make a final choice.

Traditionally, the main programming language for iOS and macOS was Objective-C, but on June 2, 2014, at Apple's WWDC 2014 developer conference, a new and more user-friendly programming language, Swift, was introduced. Compared to Objective-C, Swift has the following features:

Swift is a pure object-oriented programming language.
Simplicity, clear and precise syntax.
Strict typing. Every variable has a specific type.
Automatic memory management.

We should note that the Swift language is not limited to iOS and macOS programs. It can also be used to write applications for PadOS (iPad), tvOS (TV), watchOS (smartwatch) and even to some extent for Windows and Linux. Swift is a compilable programming language. That is, a developer writes source code and then, using a compiler, compiles that code into a control program. This program file can then be uploaded to the AppStore and distributed to other users.

One of the main advantages and features of this language is its high speed and performance. Many developers like this because they can fulfill the customer's order faster and easier. Apple tries to make sure that all applications on their operating system run in the fastest way possible. Another positive thing that relates to the Swift programming language is the provision of security. In this development environment, the occurrence of critical errors is minimized due to the special approach of memory handling.

Speaking about the features of the Swift programming language, we should also tell you about its disadvantages. The first is incompatibility with older versions. After each update, program specifications written in Swift have to be refined manually. Another disadvantage that is highlighted by developers from all over the world is the limited number of libraries. The language developed by Apple is quite young, so it is only beginning to get additions and ready-made solutions. In time, there will be more libraries and frameworks, but for now, the current «emptiness» can be considered a disadvantage.

Swift vs Objective-С: Key Differences

Finally, we come to the main topic of this article, which will help you learn the key differences between these languages and choose the winner in the Swift vs Objective-C pairing. At first glance, it may seem that these languages are very similar, as they are designed to develop applications for Apple products. However, they have many differences that make them unique.

1. Interoperability

The first difference we should talk about is that Swift integrates well with Objective C codes. This is useful because it enables the use of Objective-C code in Swift-based projects. On the other hand, the opposite is Swift cannot directly access Objective-C code. This one-way interoperability makes it easy to transition from Objective-C to Swift. Due to its compatibility and gradual integration capabilities, developers can seamlessly integrate Swift into existing projects without having to start from scratch.

2. Performance

In terms of performance, Swift and Objective-C are similar for most tasks that a developer wants to accomplish. However, Swift is a performance-oriented language that is designed to offer high performance by compiling code to native code. Elements like value types, type inference and deterministic reference counting make it possible for the compiler to optimize the code in a very efficient way. In some specific areas, it is possible to achieve higher performance in Swift as compared to Objective-C, for instance when working with extensive arrays, dictionaries, and loops.

3. Syntax

Swift is characterized by a clear, concise syntax devoid of many layers of curtness of Objective-C. That’s why such things as semicolons, parentheses, and header files are no longer required. This makes the Swift code easier to read and write. Consistent use of keywords is made and conventions like dot notation and namespaces do not require typing long names of methods. The final result is the code that looks almost like plain language or, more accurately, is close to conversational language. Thus, it might be rather said that Objective-C syntax looks quite old in comparison.

4. Community Support

Swift was developed in 2014 and gained popularity too quickly, and now has a big and active community of developers. On the Internet, one can find many groups, blogs, conferences, and meetings dedicated to Swift. There are also many open-source Swift projects available. Objective-C still has a strong following, but it simply does not have the same buzz as Swift.

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Final thoughts

Making a final choice between Swift and Objective-C is quite difficult as each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. In simple words, Objective-C is a veteran among software languages that is still showing its worth. Swift, on the other hand, is a fairly new solution that appeared only 10 years ago and offers more options and flexibility for developers. Will Objective-C become obsolete in the near future? We believe that this programming language will be used for at least 15-20 years. This is due to the fact that during its existence, this language has gained a huge code base, recognition from many development teams and even a framework. Therefore, to some extent, this programming language can be considered the best one for iOS app development.

Frequently asked questions

What are the prospects for Swift and Objective-C?

The obvious answer is that Swift represents the future of Apple development. That said, familiarity with Objective-C is also useful because sometimes you have to struggle with an outdated codebase. According to recent statistics, the average salary for Swift developers in the US is $8240 per month. At the same time, developers with knowledge of Objective-C are paid an average of $8250 in the US.

What popular iOS apps are written with Swift?

It's no secret that Swift is a modern solution. That's why many developer companies and global corporations have switched to using this programming language. For example, many of you have heard about the Firefox mobile browser. This application for Apple gadgets was written using Swift. Among other famous iOS apps, we can highlight Hipmunk, Yahoo Weather and WordPress.

What are some examples of applications for Apple gadgets developed in Objective-C?

Surprisingly, Objective-C also has a huge list of iOS apps that have been successfully developed using this programming language. Every one of you is well aware of social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram. Yes, they have been developed using Objective-C. Other prominent examples of using this programming language include Shazam, WhatsApp, and Airbnb apps.