Discover the best resources for learning Swift programming for free in 2023.
If you’ve never used an Apple device, you surely know someone who has.
Regardless of what you think of Apple, its products have fascinated and captivated millions if not billions of users worldwide.
And when comes to operating systems and software applications, macOS and iOS have been the go-to choice for many developers for both using and building with.
Because of this, Swift is one of the most popular and powerful programming languages used today, especially for iOS and Mac app development.
So if you’re eager to join the club and learn Swift programming, luckily there are plenty of great free resources.
But first, let’s get a little more background on Swift.
What is Swift Programming?
Swift is a general-purpose, multi-paradigm, compiled programming language created by Apple. It first launched in 2014 as an alternative to Objective-C and has quickly grown to become one of the most widely used languages for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS app development.
Swift aims to provide a fast, safe, and interactive programming experience. It uses automatic reference counting for memory management and targets compiled code for faster performance. Swift supports key programming paradigms like procedural, object-oriented, and functional.
Swift is easy to use and open source, so anyone with an idea can create something incredible.
Why Learn Swift?
Swift has many advantages that make it a great choice to learn iOS development or as a general-purpose language.
Some key benefits of learning Swift include:
- Fast performance that is comparable to Objective-C and C++
- A clean, easy-to-read syntax with a focus on simplicity
- Type safety, type inference, and memory safety to prevent errors
- Seamless interoperability with Objective-C code and frameworks
- Modern language features like generics, closures, and functional programming
- A large and active developer community and ecosystem
With this awesome set of features and its focus on safety and speed, Swift is a great choice for any programming project, especially iOS and Mac development.
The resources below will help you get started with learning Swift for free:
#1 - Swift Playgrounds
Swift Playgrounds is a revolutionary app for iPad and Mac designed to make learning Swift programming an engaging and interactive process.
The app introduces learners to the essentials of coding through a series of engaging lessons, starting with small programs known as "playgrounds". As you advance, you can experiment with SwiftUI, a framework for creating impressive apps.
Swift Playgrounds offers immediate feedback, with code results appearing as you type, and allows easy sharing of creations or submissions to App Store Connect.
The app uses a hands-on approach, using puzzles and experiments to teach crucial coding concepts, making Swift an approachable first programming language to learn that also meets professional development needs.
#2 - The Official Swift Docs
The Official Swift Docs' Swift Tour provides a practical introduction to writing code in Swift by guiding users through an array of programming tasks.
It's designed as a kick-starter, with the understanding that any unfamiliar concepts introduced will be fully explained in the book, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of Swift programming.
The online book contains a detailed language guide covering everything you need to know in terms of syntax, operations, methods and functions etc.
#3 - Codecademy
Codecademy's Learn Swift course offers a great introduction to understanding Swift programming, starting with basic concepts and gradually drilling down into advanced topics.
Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to practically apply your knowledge by creating a variety of projects, including a Magic 8-Ball and a Caesar Cipher, enhancing your skills and proficiency in Swift as you go along.
#4 - Udemy
Udemy's Swift Programming for Beginners course is perfect for anyone seeking a straightforward, step-by-step introduction to Swift programming, with a particular emphasis on developing iPhone apps.
Regardless of your previous programming experience, this course has been designed to make Swift programming approachable and enjoyable.
Starting with fundamental programming concepts common to languages like C# and Java, the course progresses to cover essential Swift topics including different data types, operators, control flow with if, switch statements, loops, functions, and optionals, among others.
By the end of the course, you will have gained a solid understanding of Swift programming and will be capable of writing simple, functional code and basic iPhone apps.
#5 - Programiz
Programiz's Learn Swift Programming tutorial offers a structured, step-by-step approach to mastering Swift.
Covering a broad range of topics from introduction to operators, flow control, collections, functions, Object-Oriented Programming, Enums and Structs, and additional Swift subjects, this guide serves as an extensive resource for learners at all levels.
It not only teaches the language but also explores the reasons to learn Swift and provides tips on effective learning strategies.
#6 - Udacity
Udacity's Swift for Beginners course provides a structured pathway for learning Swift.
Starting with the basics, the course progresses towards teaching the core principles essential for building your first app.
It ends with a problem set designed to challenge your understanding of Swift and enable you to apply your newly-acquired knowledge, offering an all-inclusive and interactive approach to learning Swift programming.
#7 - TutorialsPoint
TutorialPoint's Learn Swift tutorial is tailored for software programmers looking to learn the fundamentals of Swift.
This tutorial provides a substantial introduction to Swift, giving you the necessary knowledge to independently advance your skills in Swift.
However, to fully benefit from this tutorial, they say you should have a basic understanding of computer programming terminologies and prior exposure to any programming language is a bonus.
Bonus - YouTube Videos
Interactive and hands-on tutorials are great, but if you’re a more visual/audio type learner then you may want to check out these great tutorials on YouTube for learning Swift:
- Swift Programming Tutorial - by freeCodeCamp
- Learn Swift Fast - by CodeWithChris
- Swift 5 for Beginners - by iOS Academy
In conclusion, Swift is an impressive and powerful programming language that has made its mark in the world of app development. Swift's simplicity, safety, and speed make it an excellent choice for any newbie programmer.
The resources given in this article all provide a range of comprehensive, step-by-step guides to learning Swift.
Whatever your application creation dreams, with Swift you’ll soon be able to bring your ideas to life. But it all starts with the first step - learning how.
Here's to getting Swift Results!
From your fellow ever-growing dev,
Cherlock Code
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