TOP 6 BEST LANGUAGES FOR IOS APP DEVELOPMENT IN 2023

Are you searching for the best iOS app development company? Staying up-to-date with the latest terminology is crucial in this ever-evolving technological landscape. If you’re an iOS app developer, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the diverse range of development options offered in the market for iOS app development. Even if you’re considering creating an iOS app, you should be aware of some key aspects:

KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER FOR DEVELOPING AN IOS APP

You should know some essential aspects that one of the best iOS app development company considers before developing an iOS app. Here are key points to consider:

• Decide your target audience and niche.
• Consider the type of app, native hybrid or web app.
• Understand Apple’s iOS platform.
• Select an iOS Programming Language.
• Learn about Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) to create visually appealing user interfaces.
• Explore App Store Optimization (ASO)
• Define your app monetization strategy.
• Develop a marketing plan before launching your app.
• Furthermore, you need to look for competitors and dive deep into the reviews and overall look and feel for you. You can also learn how to manage app store ratings here.

6 BEST LANGUAGES FOR NATIVE IOS APP DEVELOPMENT IN 2023

Swift and Objective-C are the best iOS app development languages, but many more languages can be considered. Let’s dive into them: 

1. SWIFT PROGRAMMING LANGAUGE

Swift has established a dominant position in the mobile market. Swift is a compiled programming language for iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and Linux applications. It incorporates C code and Objective-C languages so that many modern functions can be integrated easily using inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction. There are several reasons which make Swift the powerful language for developing apps. 

PROS

• Swift is an Open source programming language. It has been in the iOS app development market for seven years and has acquired a sizeable supportive community.
• The third part is that tools you can use to your advantage are abundant for Swift.
• Swift is safe as it encourages you to write clean code so it can prevent errors and enhance readability.
• Swift is extensively known for its performance. Its simple syntax helps you develop an app faster.

CONS

• The language came in 2014, so it still needs time to mature.
• It has an opinionated talent pool.
• Poor interoperability with third-party tools
• Incomplete cross-platform support

LINKEDIN

 Swift has played a significant role in the development of LinkedIn, the popular professional networking platform. With its robust features and performance benefits, Swift has contributed to enhancing the overall functionality and user experience of the LinkedIn app. One of the key advantages of using Swift in the LinkedIn app is its safety and efficiency. Swift incorporates strict type-checking and optionals, reducing the likelihood of runtime errors and enhancing the stability of the application. This ensures a seamless and reliable user experience, critical for a platform like LinkedIn. Furthermore, Swift’s performance optimizations have helped LinkedIn deliver a fast and responsive app. The language’s high-performance characteristics, along with its native code compilation, enable smoother animations, quicker data processing, and improved loading times. This, in turn, enhances user engagement and satisfaction while using the app. Swift’s expressiveness and readability have also contributed to the development process of LinkedIn. The language’s clean syntax and concise code structure make it easier for developers to write and maintain code, resulting in increased productivity and faster development cycles. Additionally, Swift’s modern features, such as optionals and closures, provide powerful tools for handling asynchronous tasks and data manipulation, enabling developers to create a robust and efficient app architecture. LinkedIn has also benefited from the extensive community support and resources available for Swift. The active Swift community has contributed to the development of open-source libraries, frameworks, and tools that have facilitated various aspects of building the LinkedIn app. This has accelerated development, improved code quality, and allowed LinkedIn to leverage the latest advancements in the Swift ecosystem.

2. IOS OBJECTIVE-C

Objective-C has been the most stable and go-to programming language for developers for many years. The best part about Objective-C is that it has been tested and tried by many developers, so you can find many on it, which you can easily integrate with third-party frameworks. 

PROS

• Objective-C is constantly evolving with the support of regular versions and updates.
• It is easily integrated with private APIs, which makes it easier to provide a custom solution when needed.
• Objective-C is compatible with C++, so you integrate code of C or C++ easily.
• The language has tried and tested lines of code for 30 years, so you know this speaks volumes.

CONS

• Objective-C is hard to learn because of its complex syntax.
• Testing your app can be challenging due to the dynamic nature of Objective-C.
• The future of Objective-C is dangling as developers are shifting towards Swift more.

INSTAGRAM

 Objective-C played a significant role in the development of Instagram, the popular social media platform. Initially launched in 2010, Instagram was originally built using Objective-C, which was the primary programming language for iOS app development at that time. Objective-C provided the foundation for creating the core functionalities and user interface of the app. Object-oriented nature allowed Instagram’s developers to design and implement features like photo uploading, image filters, user profiles, and social interactions. The language’s dynamic runtime capabilities facilitated dynamic method resolution and message passing, enabling seamless integration of various components.  Moreover, Objective-C’s compatibility with Apple’s Cocoa Touch framework provided access to iOS-specific functionalities, such as camera integration, location services, and push notifications. This integration allowed Instagram to leverage the native capabilities of iOS devices and provide a seamless user experience. As Instagram grew in popularity, so did the need for scalability and performance. To address these requirements, Instagram gradually transitioned from Objective-C to Swift, a more modern and efficient programming language introduced by Apple. Swift offered improved performance, readability, and safety features, making it easier to maintain and expand the app.

3. C#

C#, a cutting-edge object-oriented and type-safe programming language developed for the Microsoft.NET Framework. It is used in developing games, apps, and websites, mainly for iOS. 

PROS

• The key advantage of using C# is faster development time.
• It has static coding nature
• Having an easy learning approach, C# can be learned quickly.
• It has a huge community, so all your questions can be answered.

CONS

• NET applications are typically written in F#, C#, or Visual Basic programming language.
• C# is less flexible.
• It depends mainly on the .Net framework.

MICROSOFT VISUAL STUDIO

 C# has played a significant role in the development and evolution of Microsoft Visual Studio, the integrated development environment (IDE) for creating software applications. C# was introduced by Microsoft in 2000 as a modern programming language, designed to be simple, efficient, and scalable. It quickly gained popularity among developers, leading to its integration into Visual Studio. Over the years, Microsoft has continuously enhanced Visual Studio to provide robust support for C# development. The IDE offers a wide range of features and tools specifically tailored for C# programming, making it easier and more productive for developers to write, debug, and deploy C# applications. Visual Studio provides a comprehensive code editor with syntax highlighting, code completion, and intelligent code analysis capabilities, empowering developers to write clean and error-free C# code. The IDE also offers a rich set of debugging tools, allowing developers to step through code, inspect variables, and diagnose and fix issues efficiently. Furthermore, Visual Studio integrates with the .NET Framework, Microsoft’s platform for building applications, which is tightly coupled with C#. This integration enables seamless development, testing, and deployment of C# applications, leveraging the extensive libraries and frameworks provided by .NET. In recent years, Microsoft has expanded its ecosystem by introducing Visual Studio Code, a lightweight and cross-platform IDE. Visual Studio Code supports C# development through the OmniSharp plugin, bringing the power of Visual Studio to developers on macOS and Linux.

4. JAVA

Java is a general programming language that has been there for long. You can create iOS and Android applications using this general-purpose programming language. Java’s ability to execute on any platform without recompilation makes it an exceptionally dependable and quick cross-platform programming language. 

PROS

• Java is a cross-platform language, so you know it’s popular.
• It is scalable and has regular updates
• It is open-source and flexible.
• Java is secure and easy to use.

CONS

• Java uses a lot of memory
• It is relatively hard to learn.
• You have to get a Paid commercial license.
• Slow performance and Poor GUI

WIKIPEDIA

   Java has played a significant role in the development and functioning of Wikipedia, the world’s largest online encyclopedia. Wikipedia relies heavily on Java for various aspects of its infrastructure and functionality. One of the key areas where Java is utilized in Wikipedia is the server-side programming. The back-end systems that power Wikipedia are built using Java frameworks such as Apache Struts and Spring. These frameworks provide the necessary tools and structures to handle the massive amount of data and user interactions on the platform.  Java is also employed in the development of MediaWiki, the software platform that runs Wikipedia. MediaWiki is written in PHP, but it relies on Java for certain functionalities. For example, the Lucene search engine library, written in Java, is integrated into MediaWiki to enable efficient searching and indexing of articles. In addition to the server-side infrastructure, Java is used for various tools and services that support Wikipedia’s operations. These include data analysis and processing tools, caching mechanisms, and APIs for interacting with external services and databases. Java’s stability, scalability, and cross-platform compatibility make it a suitable choice for a project of Wikipedia’s magnitude. It enables efficient handling of high volumes of traffic, ensures the smooth functioning of the website, and facilitates the continuous development and improvement of the platform.

5. HTML5

HTML5 is extensively used in iOS to create rich and interactive web content. It allows developers to build responsive websites and web applications that can be accessed through the Safari browser on iPhones and iPads. HTML5 features like canvas, video, and geolocation enable seamless multimedia playback and location-based services, enhancing the user experience on iOS devices. 

PROS

• HTML 5 allows Cross-platform compatibility.
• It also has rich multimedia support with audio, video, and canvas elements.
• HTML5 provides features like local storage and offline caching, enhancing usability and convenience.
• Easy updates and maintenance.
• It also has Lower development costs.

CONS

• Limited access to device features
• HTML5 apps may not perform as well as native iOS apps.
• Publishing HTML5 apps on the App Store may have limitations and stricter guidelines.
• HTML5 apps may have potential security vulnerabilities due to their dependence on web technologies.

YOUTUBE

   HTML5 has played a significant role in the development and evolution of YouTube, the popular video-sharing platform. Prior to HTML5, YouTube primarily relied on Adobe Flash Player for video playback, which presented several limitations and compatibility issues. With the advent of HTML5, YouTube embraced this modern web standard to enhance the user experience and expand its reach across devices. HTML5’s native video and audio elements allowed YouTube to provide seamless playback without the need for external plugins like Flash. One of the key benefits HTML5 brought to YouTube was improved performance. HTML5’s efficient video decoding capabilities reduced buffering and offered smoother playback, resulting in a more enjoyable viewing experience. Additionally, HTML5’s support for adaptive streaming allowed YouTube to optimize video quality based on the user’s internet connection, ensuring uninterrupted playback across various network conditions. Furthermore, HTML5 enabled YouTube to introduce several interactive features. The use of HTML5’s canvas element allowed for dynamic video overlays, annotations, and interactive ads, enhancing engagement and interactivity for users. HTML5’s integration with JavaScript and CSS also enabled the development of rich, customizable player controls, enabling users to have more control over their viewing experience. Moreover, HTML5’s mobile responsiveness facilitated the growth of YouTube on smartphones and tablets. By leveraging HTML5’s responsive design capabilities, YouTube adapted seamlessly to different screen sizes, optimizing the user interface and video playback experience on iOS and Android devices.

6. FLUTTER

Flutter, a versatile cross-platform framework, is used in iOS development to create high-performance, native-like applications. Its single codebase allows developers to build iOS apps efficiently, eliminating the need for separate codebases for Android and iOS. Flutter offers a rich set of widgets, smooth animations, and easy integration with existing iOS code, making it a preferred choice for iOS development. 

PROS

• Flutter’s feature enables rapid development.
• Allows developers to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms,
• Flutter apps are compiled into native code.
• Has a rich set of customizable UI widgets
• Flutter has a vibrant and active community

CONS

• Flutter apps tend to have larger file sizes compared to native iOS apps
• It has platform-specific capabilities.
• Difficulty integrating certain native iOS features or third-party libraries.

ALIBABA

   Flutter, the open-source UI toolkit developed by Google, has played a significant role in the evolution of Alibaba, one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies. Alibaba recognized the potential of Flutter early on and made strategic investments in Flutter development. One of the most prominent use cases of Flutter in Alibaba’s ecosystem is the AliExpress app. AliExpress, a global online marketplace, leveraged Flutter’s cross-platform capabilities to deliver a consistent user experience across iOS and Android devices. By using Flutter, Alibaba could optimize development time and resources, ensuring rapid deployment and updates for its mobile app. Furthermore, Alibaba integrated Flutter into its Xianyu app, a popular second-hand trading platform. Flutter’s flexible UI framework allowed Alibaba to create visually appealing interfaces with smooth animations, enhancing the user experience. The performance benefits of Flutter, including fast rendering and efficient memory usage, contributed to the seamless and responsive nature of the app. Flutter’s influence extended beyond Alibaba’s consumer-facing apps. The company also utilized Flutter for internal purposes, such as building tools for developers and creating internal management systems. This adoption within Alibaba’s infrastructure highlights the versatility and adaptability of Flutter for various use cases. Additionally, Alibaba actively contributed to the Flutter community by releasing plugins and contributing to the Flutter framework’s development. This collaboration helped improve Flutter’s capabilities, stability, and reliability, benefitting both Alibaba and the broader Flutter ecosystem.

OBJETIVE-C VS SWIFT

Objective-C and Swift are both programming languages used for iOS and macOS app development. Objective-C, the older language, offers a dynamic runtime and has been widely used in Apple’s ecosystem. Swift, on the other hand, is a modern, safer, and more efficient language designed by Apple. Swift’s syntax is concise and easier to read, promoting code clarity. It incorporates modern features like optionals, generics, and closures. While Objective-C has a larger codebase and more third-party libraries, Swift’s popularity is growing rapidly due to its performance and developer-friendly characteristics. Ultimately, the choice between Objective-C and Swift depends on the project requirements, legacy code, and developer preferences.

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

In conclusion, when it comes to iOS app development, it is essential to choose the best programming language and work with the best iOS app development company to ensure success in this ever-evolving technological landscape. This article highlighted six of the best languages for iOS app development in 2023 and explored their pros and cons. Swift, the dominant programming language in the mobile market, was showcased as a powerful language for developing iOS apps. Objective-C, a stable and widely-used language, was recognized for its compatibility with C++ and integration with third-party frameworks. C#, known for its faster development time and static coding nature, was presented as a viable choice for iOS app development. Its integration. Java, a versatile and cross-platform language, was showcased for its scalability and secure nature. Its contribution to the development of Wikipedia, including server-side programming and integration with MediaWiki, was discussed. HTML5, mainly used for creating rich and interactive web content on iOS, was emphasized for its cross-platform compatibility and rich multimedia support. Flutter, a cross-platform framework, was highlighted for its ability to create high-performance, native-like iOS applications with a single codebase. Its advantages in terms of rapid development, native code compilation, and vibrant community support were discussed, along with its role in the evolution of Alibaba’s ecosystem. When considering the best iOS app development company, it is crucial to evaluate their expertise and experience in working with these programming languages and frameworks. By partnering with the best iOS app development company and choosing the most suitable programming language, developers can ensure the successful creation and launch of their iOS apps in 2023 and beyond.