Introduction

“iOS programming language” refers to languages used to create apps for Apple’s mobile devices, including iPhones, iPads, iWatches, and Apple TVs. Swift is the most well-known and favored programming language for creating iOS apps.

Even though Swift is the preferred option, Objective-C is still utilized in some iOS apps and when working with older codebases. Swift adoption can go smoothly because iOS programmers may use both languages interchangeably inside the same project.

Now that we know an iOS programming language, let’s move on to another important topic: the best programming languages for creating iOS apps.

Best 5 iOS Programming Languages in 2024

Even though Apple’s App Store allows for the yearly publication of millions of programs for the iOS platform, their development is not simple. The iOS developer must adhere to precise rules, language choices, and checklists. The best programming languages for iOS development will soon be released.

1. Swift 

• Swift is the greatest iOS programming language for native iOS apps. It is Apple’s chosen language, created specifically for use with their exclusive platforms. Swift was created to take the role of dated languages like C, C++, and Objective-C. It is contemporary and lightweight.

• Swift is quicker than interpreted languages since it is a compiled programming language. This includes well-liked choices like Python and JavaScript. According to Apple, Swift is 8.4 times quicker than Python and 2.6 times faster than Objective-C.

• Unlike most iPhone programming languages, Swift may be learned best via practice. Apple makes it simple with the Swift Playgrounds software and free Swift classes. Alternatively, you might enroll in Udemy’s The Complete iOS App Development Bootcamp.

Pros

• Open-source
• maximizes iOS and iPhone hardware features
• swiftly and lightly
• easy-to-understand syntax
• built-in protections to avoid mistakes
• Very little memory utilization
• Easily scalable
• single codebase
• Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV compatible

Cons

• relatively new programming language
• fewer people who favor it compared to earlier languages
• does not function on iOS versions before 7.0
• might lead to problems with third-party APIs
• does not support the development of Android

2. C# 

• Microsoft developed the flexible, object-oriented programming language C#. This new language is frequently utilised to create cross-platform applications, but websites, web APIs, games, and other applications also utilise it. In 2022, C# ranked as the seventh most-used programming language among experienced developers.

• The.NET Multi-platform App UI (MAUI) framework from Microsoft enables you to create iOS apps. It is typically used with the Microsoft Visual Studio IDE by developers. With this setup, you may create the app on a Windows computer, but you’ll need a connection to a Mac to upload it to the App Store.

Pros

• Open-source
• able to construct a variety of technology projects
• supports both iOS and Android applications
• comprehensive backing and documentation

Cons

• difficult to learn
• Compilation might delay app updates and changes.
• The process of publishing a C#–made iOS application is rather challenging.

3. Objective C

• Apple’s first programming language is called Objective-C. It serves as the basis for both MacOS and iOS. This superset of C, which enhances it and adds additional features, is an object-oriented language.

• Objective-C is quickly losing ground to Swift as the main iOS development language. In contrast to the 2% of developers who used Objective-C in 2022, about 5% of developers utilised it.

• However, it could still be worthwhile to learn. The migration of Apple’s legacy code, which is still mostly written in Objective-C, will take some time.

Pros

• C and C++ backward-compatible
• There is extensive documentation available.
• enough community support for developers
• a variety of external frameworks and libraries
• suitable for legacy Apple operating systems

Cons

• becoming less popular with time
• Learning complex syntax is difficult.
• maintain two code files for the header and implementation files
• inheritable security flaws from C

4. Java

• A class-based, object-oriented general-purpose programming language called Java was developed in 1995. Over 9 million developers use it now, making it one of the most well-known and established programming languages.

• Creating iOS and Android applications using this general-purpose programming language is possible. Java’s ability to execute on any platform without the need for recompilation makes it an exceptionally dependable and quick cross-platform programming language.

• Like C#, Java needs a framework to convert the code into an iOS-compatible format. There are numerous, with Codename One being one of the most well-known.

Pros

• It is a platform-neutral language.
• massive community backing
• It has a vast talent pool and is a scalable and updatable programming language.
• Open-source Flexible 
• Secure

Cons

• Memory is a big issue for Java projects.
• Quite challenging to learn
• A poor effort
• dense language in the type

5. JavaScript 

• High-level programming languages like JavaScript are often used in web design, gaming, mobile apps, and web servers. On StackOverflow, it routinely ranks as one of the top two most utilised languages.

• JavaScript isn’t the best language for iOS app development by itself. You’ll need to use a framework like React Native to develop an iOS app using JavaScript. After the programming is done, React Native renders to the native iOS user interface.

Pros

• Extensive backing and documentation
• Access to developers is simple
• Reusable parts for quicker construction
• Use the same codebase to create apps for both iOS and Android.
• use and is aware of native APIs

Cons

• slower than iOS apps that are native
• Time-consuming updates within React Native Difficult debugging Access to some native methods and permissions may be restricted

Also Read: 8 Best iOS Development Tools for iOS Developers

Which is the Best Programming Language for iOS App Development 

One of the swifter iOS languages is Swift. Apple now employs Swift, a potent, cutting-edge programming language, to build native apps and even iOS.

Swift’s ease of usage and learning is one of its main benefits. It reads naturally because it has a simple grammar resembling human language.

Why Swift? 

• There is a very good probability that Swift will be your solution, regardless of how inexperienced you are with the world of iOS app development languages. One of the most popular languages for influencing the direction of iOS app development. 

• Swift is one of the most well-known coding applications for iPhone programming languages since its release in 2014. Swift received nearly three times as many votes as the previous year, placing it as the 11th most popular language in the 2020 Tiobe Index for Swift.

• Swift is a general-purpose programming language used to create high-caliber native iOS apps. It is intended to perform effectively with frameworks like Cocoa Touch and Cocoa.

• Scalability, interoperability (particularly with objective-C), open-source, and quick development are some of its main advantages. Along with ARC (Automatic Memory Arc), Swift app development offers data security during development. 

• This coding language’s small user base is by far its biggest drawback.

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Final Thoughts

There are different programming language choices accessible within the iOS app improvement marketplace, every having benefits and disadvantages. Swift, however, stays the quality option for developing native iOS apps in 2024. Get in touch with an iPhone application development company who can deliver the most reliable and affordable solutions. Swift, Apple’s favorite programming language, is present-day, speedy, and simple to study, making it a remarkable choice for each skilled and green developer. It is a powerful language for developing iOS apps since it supports a wide range of hardware capabilities and Apple devices, uses less memory, and has built-in security.

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