If you are a beginner or have been waiting a while to enter the world of iOS app development, then this blog will enlighten you on how to choose the best languages for iOS app development for your project. Continue reading this blog to know what they are.
According to BankMyCell stats, as of 2022, out of a total of 8.93 million apps globally, 1.642 million are solely from Apple’s app store. And the revenue generated by these iOS apps in the first quarter of 2023 was US$ 22.7 billion.
Massive, right?
And needless to say, Apple has a huge brand loyalty worldwide, which has been paying them hefty benefits for years.
We hope these numbers are sufficient to say that learning iOS app development is a great investment for your future.
Now the question arises: where should you start? Which language for iOS app development should you put your foot forward in? What are the ideal iOS languages for mobile apps vs web apps?
Don’t worry!
In this comprehensive guide, we have stated the USP of each programming language, from Swift to Objective-C, and also why and when you should choose them.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Best languages for iOS app development 2024
1. Swift
Swift is the first iOS programming language released by Apple in 2015 with the intent of developing iOS applications. It is very concise, and clean, and gives app users a native-like experience.
Over time, it has increased its fanbase among the community of Apple developers, and now it is widely implemented in other operating systems like macOS and watchOS.
The language was brought into the world because it was considered a great replacement for C, C++, and Objective-C.
Its open source and short syntax have helped iOS developers build applications comparatively easier and faster, thus contributing to its increasing popularity among iOS developers.
Let’s have a look at its key features:
- Being an open-source language, it lets’ you access the global community of Swift iOS app developers.
- It is a type-safe coding language, which leads to fewer runtime crash errors than the standard C language.
- The algorithm takes less time to process.
- Developers can save more time with cross-device support that allows code reusability and shareability.
- Higher efficiency with low memory footprints.
- Easy to maintain with all the files combined into a single .swift file.
Drawbacks:
There are only a limited number of Swift developers in the market, which restricts external support and the domain of knowledge.
2. Objective-C
Objective-C was brought into the light because of its being influenced by the two programming languages C and Smalltalk.
That’s why it uses C as a prefix in its naming convention. The language was first created in 1980 and got public in 1988. Later on, apple acquired this language for a significant period for the creation of iOS apps.
But due to its bit complex syntax, the other programming languages started dominating it. Even yet, the language ranks 23rd position in the chart of top programming languages for mobile app creation.
Let’s have a look at its key features:
- Since the language has been in existence for a long time, this will make it easy for you to find detailed documentation of it and also third-party frameworks.
- It is an extension of C-programming language, so both C and C++ work very well on this.
- Very stable and no migration is required.
- Supports dynamic typing, and thus provides more flexibility.
- Works pretty well for devices that are not compatible with Swift.
Drawbacks:
- The complicated syntax makes it programmers to learn and manage.
- Less secure and thus more prone to hacking.
- It is not open-source which restricts the access to a global community of iOS app developers.
- Outdated and not updated. Thus, not ideal for next-generation iOS smartphones.
- Takes more development time.
3. C#
C# was first introduced as an object-oriented programming language for the CLI in 2000 by Microsoft. However, it was added to the list of languages for iOS app development when Xamarin, a hybrid app development framework, came into existence.
This framework is built on C# and helps developers share code for different app platforms, thus supporting the iOS app team to streamline their work and make the development process easier and faster.
Moreover, due to its cross-platform app-building flexibility, C# is listed among the top five programming languages for app creation. You can try your hands on this language if you are looking to build hybrid apps.
Let’s have a look at its key features:
- Easy-to-read language with an expandable syntax and a huge library, helping developers build applications faster.
- As an HLL, it has a gentle learning curve.
- Backend support by tech giants and a large global community aids you in the abundance of resources.
- Can be easily tweaked and is highly scalable.
Drawbacks:
- Code compilation is needed every time any change is made in the scripting.
- Restricted flexibility as it is supported by Microsoft. Net framework.
READ ALSO: Tips for Delivery App Development in UAE
4. Java
Java is another one of the programming languages for iOS app development. It first came into existence in 1995, and due to its robust security features, it has gained trust in the community of app developers over the course of time.
In fact, according to a report as of 2022, nearly 35% of developers chose Java as their preferred language for developing mobile applications.
Also, because Java is a high-level general-purpose programming language, developers can use it to build applications for both Android and iOS devices.
However, like C#, Java also requires a framework to support iOS app development, and Codename is one such framework. There are other options too, such as Spring Boot, React, and more.
Even though the language supports cross-platform development, Java is not the most sought-after language for iOS app development.
You can use this language only if you are planning to build a hybrid app for both Android and iOS devices with minimal effort.
Let’s have a look at its key features:
- Provides a high level of security, leaving no room for any potential threats.
- You can build iOS applications on a relatively low budget.
- Supports cross-platform app development.
- Since it’s a general-purpose language, it provides a vast amount of versatility.
- Highly scalable.
- provides an advanced level of testing, including unit, functional, integrated, and more. As a result, there are no risks of error.
Drawbacks:
- It is a type-heavy language, which makes it tough to learn for beginners.
- Occupies a huge amount of memory, which reduces the overall performance.
READ ALSO: Best Framework for Web App Development
5. JavaScript
JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS are the popular web programming languages that are used to build web apps.
The best part is that if you already have a web app for your company and want to port it into an iOS device application, you can use JavaScript or JScript to achieve that.
However, you will need two things: one, you are well aware of all three web languages because they all work together, and two, you need a framework or platform that could run the code. Apache Cordova and React Native provide such environments to iOS developers but in different ways.
Let’s have a look at its key features:
- There is no need for code compilation every time a change is made, making it faster and quicker.
- Easy to understand and learn, even for complex projects.
- Can be integrated as a cross-platform language that gives a native-ish experience.
- It is versatile; for example, you can see it used in server-side, desktop, or cross-platform apps.
- Minimises server load by executing code on the client side.
Drawbacks:
- Restricted functionality, as it works well mostly when combined with other web technologies.
- It is laid-back and permissive in nature. So, developers usually face consistent responsive issues.
6. Dart
If you are looking for a responsive, fast, and easy language for developing iOS applications, then Dart is the next best option for you. However, when compared to Swift, there is no doubt that Swift tops the chart. But nonetheless, this language is also worth giving a shot to rookies.
Like C#, Java, or JavaScript, the Dart language also requires an iOS app development framework, and Flutter (developed by Google) is one of them. The language is very considerate for scenarios when you want to develop an iOS and a web app simultaneously.
Let’s have a look at its key features:
- Supports cross-platform support (for all iOS, web, and Android applications).
- It is open-source, thus letting you access the worldwide community of like-minded developers.
- Lets you build offline iOS apps.
- Provides easy customization with a plethora of widget options.
Drawbacks:
- Since it’s still relatively new in the market, the community is small.
- Few libraries.
7. Python
Last but not least, Python is another cross-platform language that has gained a huge fan base in recent years. The language has a very short and clear syntax, which makes it easy for beginners to understand and learn.
Also, you can use Python for building both iOS and Android applications, so if you already have your Android version ready, it will take less time to build an iOS application.
Also, it has a huge set of libraries, including Xcode, the REST API, the WebSocket API, and more, which make it another excellent option for developing iOS applications.
Let’s have a look at its key features:
- It is a general-purpose language that makes it versatile for app developers.
- Has a user-friendly interface.
- The language executes code one line at a time, which makes it faster and quicker. And not to mention, bug-free.
Drawbacks:
- The only drawback is that the language is not suitable for large-scale projects.
MORE RESOURCES
- Tips for Selecting the Best App Development Stack
- Top Mobile App Development Companies in Boston
- Understanding App Development Life Cycle
Wrapping-Up
That’s all about the best programming languages for iOS app development. So, whether you want to construct an iOS app or a cross-platform app, the purpose of choosing the language is to streamline your building process. Now, check your requirements and choose the one that suits you the most.
