Which operating system is best — iOS or Android? This question can start a long debate at any table. Experts have long argued on the comparison of Android and iOS.
Admittedly, iOS has charm with its speed, usability, and smooth operation. If you are an Apple lover, this blog is for you.
iOS applications are also one step ahead of apps on other operating systems. An iOS app can help you seamlessly achieve your company’s goals.
Developers have an array of programming languages to choose from to build an iOS application. We will walk you through the positives and negatives of four popular programming languages for iOS app development.
1- HTML 5
W3techs revealed that HTML5 powers about 89% of all sites on the web. Hypertext Markup language 5 (HTML5) is an open-source, client-side programming language used to create web and hybrid applications.
Developers use this language to create user interfaces of web applications by describing their content’s order and context.
iPhone app developers Dubai combine CSS and JavaScript to use in HTML5 app development.
Advantages
If you are a nontechnical person just starting to learn to code, HTML 5 is best for you. It's easier and inexpensive to use in app development.
It is also an ideal programming language to create an iOS application with a simple UI design that provides users with offline access.
HTML5 also allows you to develop web apps for iPad and iPhone users. One advantage worth mentioning is its consistency across multiple browsers.
Apps built using this iOS programming language are user-friendly and enable higher online visibility for pages. Plus, HTML5 is perfect if you want to develop an app that needs geolocation access from users’ devices.
HTML5 applications can access your mobile device’s features and functionalities to enhance user experience.
Disadvantages
HTML5 is certainly not the most favored option for mobile app development. Firstly, it only functions well for hybrid app development. HTML5 apps are not performant, and their design can be irresponsive.
They don't function on old browsers, which stops those browsers’ users from using HTML5 apps.
Also Read: Mobile App & Game Development Programming Languages to Learn in 2022
2- C# (Sharp)
While HTML 5 is an older programming language, C# is a modern type-safe, object-oriented language. Microsft developed it to create Windows apps in 2000 to respond to Java.
But its door opened for iOS and other OS app developers when .NET Framework came to Mac and Linux operating systems.
C# is a high-level and general-purpose language that has become the 8th most commonly used programming language worldwide due to its simple and high-level architecture.
Over 30% of professionals use this language to build websites, apps, and games globally.
Advantages
C# is one of the best programming languages for iOS because it allows for native and hybrid app development. This language can help your iOS app developers create your app quickly and effortlessly, thanks to its various features that let you code faster than in other languages.
Other perks include high upgradability, scalability, static coding nature, community support, usability, automatic garbage collection, performance, and faster execution.
Disadvantages
Microsft has tightly linked C# with .NET Framework, which reduces the language’s flexibility in writing apps. Secondly, it may take time to learn C# if you are a starter.
3- Swift
The third language on our list is among the most preferred programming languages to develop iOS applications — Swift.
Swift is there for roughly a decade but has gained traction more than many older programming languages.
Apple developed this language in 2014 for all its OS, including iPadOS, iOS, watchOS, macOS, and tvOS.
Swift is a general-purpose language that helps developers create quality native apps, particularly for iOS. It includes objective-C language and the best C code to make app development faster and easier.
Cocoa, AVFoundation, CloudKit, CocoaTouch, and other frameworks function on Swift. It is the 14th most commonly used programming language.
Advantages
Swift is ideal for users who want to scale their applications quickly. It offers ease to writing apps making iOS app development flexible and fun. If you have never used Swift before, don't worry, as it is easy to learn.
This iOS programming language offers modern functions like generics, closures, and automatic memory counting.
It enables developers to develop iOS apps faster. Apple keeps updating the language to make it more secure and reliable.
Disadvantages
Swift poses two disadvantages. You can find fewer professionals for Swift app development, and it doesn't have a large community like C# and other programming languages have.
4- Objective C
First created in 1984, Apple acquires Objective C, which makes it a programming language for iOS and other apple products.
This programming language started declining after Apple launched Swift in 2014. The company finally recommended professionals prefer Swift over objective C.
As the name implies, it is an object-oriented programming language, which means developers follow the fundamental principles they use when developing native software. They organize similar jobs into classes.
Advantages
One advantage that differentiates it from the other languages on our list is its ability to work alongside C++ and C in an app.
Objective C was created more than three decades ago, thus, has a large user base. Plus, developers have tested Objective C on thousands of apps and code lines.
Disadvantages
Beginners find it hard to learn due to its steep learning curve. Another downside is that its syntax is different from other programming languages.
Developers also face challenges when debugging their apps created using objective C, as its code is dynamic.
Bottom Line
iOS app development will keep changing as new trends and technologies come. Before choosing the iOS programming language for your app project, you should consider the pros and cons of all available choices.
FAQs
1- What are the top programming languages for iOS?
Developers mostly use Swift, C#, and Objective C to create iOS applications. They utilize the XCode platform to create iPhone apps. Apple also offers C++ support on its latest stable XCode version,14.1.
2- What technologies are being used in mobile app development recently?
Wearables: these apps are thriving worldwide. There are 533 + million connected wearable devices as of 2021.
Artificial intelligence and Machine learning: FaceApp used artificial intelligence to show users how they might appear when they are younger and older using the individual’s current photo.
AR and VR: augmented and virtual reality technology is prepping and elevating quality gaming apps and is being used in various other cases.
3- Should my business develop an iPhone app for our consumers?
iPhone users generally spend more than Android ones. Statista found that iPhone users spent about 85.1 billion $US on subscriptions, in-app purchases, and premium applications in 2021.
Furthermore, iOS applications provide a nice income stream. iOS is one of the most secure and popular operating systems, which offers businesses a chance to nurture relationships with their audience using iPhone apps.
4- Can a developer create iOS applications on Mac?
Yes. Apple offers an Integrated Development Environment or IDE, which is called XCode. You can build applications on this iOS interface because it provides tools that let you create, design, debug and test your iOS app. The tools include compilers, frameworks, and software development kits.
