Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) unveiled an entirely new programming language called Swift along with many other innovations at WWDC. The new language is faster, easier, and eliminates many of the errors that crippled many other programming languages. App developers applauded Swift. It will be able to run alongside the Objective-C in the same app, so developers can upload their code as they go. In short, it promises to be everything for all coders.
Apple’s new programming language could bring some problems
Developers believe that the new programming language would spark massive interest among younger app developers in creating applications for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) devices, reports Nick Shchetko of The Wall Street Journal. Currently, most of the apps created for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and Mac are written in Objective-C, which the company has been using since 1990s. Swift is part of the tech giant’s attempt to make sure that app developers remain loyal to its ecosystem as Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Android dominates about 80% of the smartphone market.
Nolan Brown, the mobile programming chief at Vindico, a video advertising firm, said that Swift shows extreme promise with teenagers. However, attracting new and younger programmers could bring some problems. Of course, the App Store will have more applications. But there would be more apps from less experienced developers, which might result into not-so-good user experience or more bugs. Anyway, a large number of developers who attended WWDC are willing to give it a shot.
With Apple’s Swift, new and experienced coders on the same table
Many developers expect a gradual transition from Objective-C to Swift because the older one has been used so widely. Joseph Robinson, a consultant at Green Flag Digital, said he would prefer building apps on Swift, which seems to be more accessible. Robinson, a young developer, says he won’t be far behind the experienced developers who already know the language because Swift is new to everybody. Swift lets coders do more with less codes.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares inched up 0.26% to $646.50 at 10:45 AM EDT on Thursday.
