Top 10 New Swift Features to Consider in iOS App Development [Updated]

Last updated on August 17th, 2023

The proximity of a business to its customers is recognized as a crucial factor. And the customer’s smartphone is the closest thing to them today. Smartphones enable companies to get as close as possible to their target audience. Businesses can quickly expand their customer base and, ultimately, their revenue through mobile applications. Devices running the Android and Apple iOS operating systems being the two most popular mobile OSs, it is imperative that developers test their apps on both to maximize exposure. This means it will significantly benefit developers if they are fluent in making apps for both platforms.

However, many developers prefer iOS because Apple’s Swift has the market’s most advanced and intuitive user interface. For 2022, TOIBE places Swift in the middle of the pack at number nine.

Swift development makes it easy to build anything from system software to iOS apps to cloud-based SaaS services. Swift’s goal is to make it easier for programmers to write bug-free code that follows best practices and has few antipatterns. Let’s look at why Swift is the best option for iOS App Development.  iTechnolabs is top-rated Mobile App development Company delivering all services related to iPhone app, iWatch, Macbook System and other apple devices.

Swift Development: What is It?

In 2015, Swift was released as a freely distributable programming language. Assuring that anyone with an internet connection could gain access to this cutting-edge technology was central to the project’s mission of developing a robust programming language. Easy to use even for non-programmers, it combines expressiveness with fun. Devices running OS X 10.9 and later, as well as iOS 7, are compatible with Swift. Critical features of Swift are its robust security, lightning-fast performance, and freedom of expression. Here’s a Swift “Hello World” programme to illustrate how easy it is to use:

Swift is unique among programming languages because of its:

The code is complete and does not require any additional libraries to be imported or the primary () function to be used.

Where can I find the most recent version of iOS?

The year 2014 marks the debut of the Swift programming language. In 2015, it was released as open source. Swift 5.0 was released in 2019, and with its new features, developing iOS apps is now a breeze.

The most recent version of Apple’s iOS software development kit is called Swift, and it’s version 5 or 5.0. In 2020, Swift 4 will be updated to Swift 4.2, and Swift 5 will be updated to Swift 5.1 and 5.2.

Swift 5 programming language is the game-changer in iOS app development. Here are a few things to consider using the Swift 5 feature while developing the iOS app.

After Apple’s Objective-C, the company released Swift as its second programming language. Since Swift is free and open-source, it is also used to create servers and other back-end components required for web services.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right into the brand new feature introduced in Swift 5 that you should be aware of when creating iOS applications.

Important Article: Top 10 Reasons to Choose Swift for iOS App Development Services

10 New Swift Features For iOS App Development

1. Application Binary Interface

One significant change in Swift 5 is the improved stability of the Application Binary Interface (ABI). For those unfamiliar, “API” is the binary representation of the “application programming interface” (API). Programming interfaces (APIs) are used by iOS app developers when coding in Swift 5. Because of the improved API stability, users no longer need to download all the code their apps require to function correctly.

The latest release incorporates iOS’ code into its libraries and framework. The binary code for the app is already present in iOS, so the newly installed app will use it. That will make it simpler and more compact to create new apps.

2. Multiple variable parameter

Upon Swift 5’s release, SE-0284 introduced a welcome innovation. Labels could be assigned to subscripts, initializers, and the parameters of functions with multiple variables. In previous versions of Swift, only a single parameter would do in this situation.

3. We’ve Improved the User Experience

It’s the size of iOS apps that is the biggest problem. Swift 5 applications are significantly smaller in size than their iOS 8 counterparts. This aids swift, efficient, and effective app development for iOS.

This, in turn, motivates improved attention to the user interface. It’s more convenient to install and get the most out of apps if they only take up a little space. iPhone app development companies persist in their efforts to create a more intuitive interface.

4. The Kind of Outcome

Swift 5 introduces a new data type called “result” to its repertoire. This functionality is now part of Swift’s standard library, providing two result states (passed and failed) as possible outcomes.

This function returns values and encloses errors in a particular object—this addition to Swift 5 aids in creating more robust and meaningful code.

5. Local Function Wrapper

Local functions can now be overloaded.

Overloading functions in local contexts was requested in SR-10069, and as a result, Swift now allows for nested functions to be overloaded.

6. Updated Reference Sources

After upgrading to Swift 4.2 or Swift 5, you’ll have access to the updated standard library. Developers have more options for efficient library management with updated libraries. Processing strings that are joined together is now simplified. The dictionary and set both currently operate at a higher level of efficiency.

7. Types of Dynamic Calls

Building iOS apps with Swift 5 now has dynamic support for the callable code. Languages like Ruby, Python, and JavaScript all benefit from this method of code organization.

Coercion-based literal initialization, user-defined callable types, and identification of critical paths are all new features in swift 2.0. Since Swift 5, you can give it any input you like.

You can use any dynamic call names in the header, and there are no restrictions on what those names are. The following are some suggestions: Swift 5 allows you to do this with or without labels, and it makes no difference in which order you enter them.

8. Raw Strings

Swift 5 adds the ability to create raw strings. As an alternative to string terminators and escape characters, literals can now be read as backslashes and quote marks. iOS app developers now have a more straightforward method of utilizing regular expressions within their code.

You can use raw strings by placing one or more # expressions before them. Hashtags are used to separate sections of a series. Using a hashtag in a Swift message should be interpreted as a quotation mark, not the end of the string.

On the other hand, backslashes (/) in a string are also misinterpreted as escape characters rather than literal ones.

9. String Interpolation

By upgrading to Swift 5, developers have more options and less hassle. Swift 5 is an improvement over Swift 4 in that it includes many new features. String interpolation is a new feature in Swift 5 that can be used to format output in a class in a more friendly way to the end user.

By using reconstructed string interpolation, you can modify the visual presentation of objects absent from string 4.

A default action has been defined for structs that are then followed by their properties. Bugs can be fixed much quicker thanks to this feature.

10. Cases in the Future Enumeration

Switching between cases is a time-consuming process in all Swift versions. To mitigate this drawback, Swift 5 provides support for handling default cases. Default case handling can easily take care of this.

We are adding a new enum case signals whether or not the case needs special treatment. In addition, @unknown default is used as the default syntax for enum cases in the future. There is no other use for this besides swapping out the normal one.

As an iOS programmer, why should I use Swift?

Swift is a cutting-edge programming language for iOS compatible with other Apple platforms such as watchOS, and OS X. Developers can use this to make programmes that work perfectly with this OS.

Critical features of Swift on iOS include the following: mentions of your brand (with or without links), content sharing via social media, bookmarking, etc.

This includes social media shares, bookmarking, mentions of your brand (with or without links), and more.

Swift is an advanced programming language for iOS compatible with other Apple platforms such as watchOS, and OS X. Allows programmers to create programmes that function faultlessly on this OS.

For iOS, Swift’s most notable features are 

• compatibility with Objective-C; 
• a state-of-the-art error-handling model, 
• collaborative and interactive playgrounds.

Safe and quick; Modern, trustworthy, and syntax-updated

It uses the incredible potential of open-source software

Swift iOS ensures safe and secure coding practices. The programming language is praised for its high error resistance and extreme clarity, making it accessible to newcomers. Furthermore, Swift eliminates every class of potentially dangerous code while guaranteeing a secure environment, leading to a reliable solution.

Those who are hesitant to commit to Swift fully but who are also passionate about Objective-C for iOS development.

Related Article: 6 Crucial Reasons to Choose Swift for iPhone App Development

Are You Looking for an iOS App Development Company in California?

Swift is a new programming language that borrows many useful features from its predecessor, Objective-C, while also introducing its own set of innovations that make it easier for programmers to create code that is both secure and reliable. It has become the go-to language for developing innovative, user-friendly mobile applications. iTechnolabs is top-rated Mobile App development Company delivering all services related to iPhone app, iWatch, Macbook System and other apple devices.

If you have any idea on iOS application development that you wish to develop with Swift 5, share it with us today. iTechnolabs is a leading Swift app development company that can help you with all your questions, like why select Swift as your programming language, the cost of iOS app development with Swift, how Swift source code looks and more.

Frequently Asked Questions For iOS App Development

1. What language is used for iOS development?

The following languages are used to programme iOS app development- 

• Swift
• C#
• Objective C
• Dart
• JavaScript
• HTML 5

For an authentic, native look, Swift, C#, and Objective C are languages for iOS app development. However, you can also use cross-platform app development languages like Dart and JavaScript to save time and resources.

2. What are the diverse Swift iOS app development services?

There are various Swift iOS app development services which have been listed below – 

• Proficient consultancy services
• Elegant and engaging UI/UX design
• Agile and seamless development
• Successful app deployment
• Smooth migration to iOS 
• Rigorous testing for quality assurance

Get iTechnolabs’ Swift iOS app development services at a price that is just within your budget.