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Mohammed Jammeh
37,463 PointsShould I start learning Swift?
I'm thinking of starting to learn Swift but then again I haven't finished the front-end development. To be honest, I'm not rushing; it's just that the language seems interesting. I'm quite comfortable with HTML and CSS, I was planning to learn JavaScript and now am thinking of studying Swift instead, what do you think?!
9 Answers
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsAre you going to be making apps for iOS or OS X? If so then yes. If your wanting to make websites, then learn Javascript.
I'm not saying don't learn Swift, but if you want to make websites, then learn the web languages first and then have fun with Swift later.
Christian Sanchez
3,616 PointsI'm in the same boat as you, but, I would finish the front-end development first. Swift having just been released, in the time it takes you to finish the web development courses, Swift may have a lot a little changes done too it.
John Morrison
Courses Plus Student 382 PointsAsk yourself what it is you want to do with your life. If that involves using Swift, then absolutely you should learn it. I know I will.
Mohammed Jammeh
37,463 PointsWhat you've all said is true. To be honest, I'm not quite sure what I really want to specify in at the moment; I'm just learning and practicing as much as I can and then I will make a decision. I would definitely start learning Swift next year but I don't want to be left behind, I want to start from scratch as everyone else and that's the reason why I'm thinking of starting now.
John Morrison
Courses Plus Student 382 PointsThe sooner you start, the sooner you will be able to master your skills. Starting now will allow you to be ahead of the curve so to speak when compared to others who wait until a future date
Christian Sanchez
3,616 Points^^^ What John said.
It won't hurt to deviate from the web development track and wet your feet with Swift for a wee bit.
Mohammed Jammeh
37,463 PointsThat is so true man. I might as well start learning Swift, I guess now is the best time. I will be starting uni in Sept. 2015 and I'm planning to study Web Development so I guess I will have some time for JavaScript. Christian, what about you? Are you going to start studying Swift or will you carry on with the front-end development track?
Eric Vandenberg
9,095 PointsMohammed,
I just completed the Front-end Development track and then went in to the Swift track today. I would definitely recommend learning JavaScript before jumping into swift. Swift is very similar to JavaScript. The syntax differs slightly between the two but the concepts are inline with one another. Swift has more capabilities and offers more options that are extensions of JavaScript (Different ways to perform LOOPS and FUNCTIONS among other features). From the swift tutorials I was able to understand JavaScript ever better. But without first understanding the basics of JavaScript I would have really struggled to understand Swift. That's just my opinion. Good luck with whatever track you pursue! I'm sure you can make it happen either way
Mohammed Jammeh
37,463 PointsThanks for this, Eric. I was thinking of the same thing but wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. Anyway, I will carry on with the front-end development track for now and then I will start learning Swift next year, I just can't wait to start learning it :)
John Morrison
Courses Plus Student 382 PointsMy goal is to become a master IOS developer and I have absolutely no coding experience at all. I am going to learn swift and possibly objective c
Mohammed Jammeh
37,463 PointsGo for it John, you can definitely do it.
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsHey John Morrison,
Some would argue that you should learn Objective C before Swift.
Objective C has been used for a number of years now to make IOS apps , whereas Swift is a new language. It might be best to learn the language that has a track record of maintaining the App Store first and learn Swift when you have some good knowledge of Objective C.
Here is a more complete debate on the issue. You can also find more debates by googling it.
John Morrison
Courses Plus Student 382 PointsHey John. Thank you for your reply. I have definitely thought about that. The main reason I am deciding to go ahead with Swift as opposed to Objective C is because I am confident that in a few years nearly all Iphone apps will be a product of Swift. Also, Swift is much easier once you learn how to do it. This is not to say that I will not also learn Objective C in the future. I plan on becoming (eventually) an expert in Swift and after that I will likely take a look at Objective C as I do realize there are great advantages to knowing how to use both. Thank you for that link. I just feel like Swift is the right choice for me to begin with.