Swift OR Objective C? What should you prefer when getting iOS application development services?

When looking for iOS application development services to get an iOS app made, one thing that sets the tone for the entire project is the selection of programming language. Some people opt for Swift while others prefer using Objective C.

Both have their place in the market but making the right choice is critical for your app to benefit your business. While Objective C has held the fort perfectly for many years, dynamics changed when Swift came into play making the decision harder.

So which one should you choose before availing iOS application development services? Here’s all you need to know about the two languages to make an informed decision for your business.

Objective C:

Objective C was first launched in the 80s. It was created by Brad Cox and Tom Love from the company Stepstone. After Objective C branched out to Apple Computers, it has been the standard language for macOS, iOS, and other Apple platforms. After being tried and tested with Apple products for so many years, it is considered a mature language for iOS app development.

The presentation of code is also different in both. In Objective C code is divided into two code blocks:

• header (interface) files (.h)
• implementation files (.m)

Advantages of Objective C

The following are some aspects that make Objective C a great choice when getting iOS application development services.

• Stability

Objective C is a stable language that does not require to shift apps to newer versions as new updates are made. Unlike Swift, iOS apps made in Objective C do not require to be migrated to new versions saving time and cost as well.

• Well Tested Language

It has been around the block for more than 30 years now. It has stood the test of time and is a more reliable choice. Objective C has been widely used by numerous iOS developers over the years making it a tried and tested approach to creating apps with the option of great third-party frameworks.

• Easy Compatibility with C++

Another striking aspect that makes Objective-C an excellent choice is that it routes from C language which automatically makes it compatible with integrating with products of C or C++ code. All operations run smoothly, contrary to Swift which is not compatible with C++.

• Private APIs

Objective C is easier to connect with private APIs whenever there is a need for a custom solution, for example, color changes or integration. It is not possible to connect with Swift as it is constantly changing and updating.

Disadvantages of Objective-C

• Difficult to learn

Objective-C differs in syntax from other languages which makes it hard to learn. It is a difficult language whose memory management is very complex with challenging coding conditions. For new developers, it can consume a lot of time and effort.

• Fewer Qualified Experts

With time, as easier alternatives came developers were more eager to learn them leaving very few qualified Objective-C programmers. Since learning Objective-C is time-consuming, the number of skilled Objective-C language experts kept decreasing.

• Lack of Namespacing

Objective-C lacks namespacing since it is built on top of C. Since all classes have to be globally unique, the convention of adding prefixes has to be applied to avoid a collision.

Swift:

Swift was introduced by Apple in 2014 as the official language for iOS application development services for all kinds. However, it is not limited to Apple OS as in 2015 it became an open-source and cross-platform language extending its functionality.

Advantages of Swift

Let’s take a look at why has it become so popular in such a short time.

• Better Performance

Swift is a much faster programming language. Its performance is considered the same as that of C++ which is considered the fastest in algorithm calculations. With a pledge to continuously update and better its performance, Swift 2.0 even beat C++ in several algorithms. It is also faster than Objective-C because it is independent of the limitations of C language. If the developers do not deliberately end up writing a slower code, Swift will never give a slower performance.

• Safe

Swift is a safer option than Objective-C as it allows the developer to spot bugs as he types. This significantly reduces the time and money which is later spent on testing and bugs-fixing. If a nil optional variable is used, Swift triggers a run-time crash which immediately alerts the developers there and then to fix the issue before moving ahead.

On the contrary, Objective-C does not offer any such service. Nothing happens in nil variable is identified. While no immediate crash may seem like a good thing at the moment, it is a pain to handle in the end when looking for a huge source of bugs.

• Better Readability

When getting iOS application development services, if you opt for Swift then you also get the benefit of better readability. Its resemblance to regular English is much more compared to other languages which makes it easier to read and easier to recheck the code as well. What further made Swift easier to read is the extermination of some symbols which has further lessened the potential for more mistakes and save more time.

• Less Code

Another advantage that makes developers prefer Swift over Objective-C or iOS app development is it requires less code. A dream come true for developers, it has more benefits and is reusable as well. While less code does not necessarily mean that it is easy, still reusability is an advantage that cannot be ignored.   

There are other various advantages like being favored by Apple itself, the option of interactive coding, and integration with memory management which earns brownie points for Swift over Objective-C.

Disadvantages of Swift

• Absence of C++ Import

Swift is not a good choice if your project is highly dependent on C++.

• Slower Compilation Speed

Swift is complex and more feature-rich compared to Objective-C which makes its compilation speed slower. This issue is expected to get better as new updated versions of Swift are launched with time.

• Lack of ABI Stability

ABI defines the communication rules for a machine code and Swift lacks ABI stability. When dealing with a particularly large project, compiling different Swift versions it can be tricky to keep the communication stable. If not problems may arise in Swift frameworks across Swift versions.

Based on the above discussion, it is evident that when getting iOS application development services, a better choice to opt for would be Swift as it is the latest and offers more valuable benefits than shortcomings. It is widely expected and popular and the fact that it is backed by Apple itself gives it more credibility. Objective-C has now become a more obsolete and outdated language and lacks the tools and properties required in the modern technology world today.

If you’re looking for exemplary iOS application development services then contact experts at Origami Studios who have a rich 7 years of experience in creating engaging iOS apps.

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