There are more programming languages in the world today than languages, and the truth is that each of them has characteristics specifically designed to meet different needs. Objective-C is one of them, and it has become an uk business email list essential resource for those dedicated to developing applications for the iOS and macOS operating systems .
But what is Objective C good for ? Even though the first alternative you might think of is Swift, Objective-C is still essential for maintaining existing applications and for projects that require a thorough knowledge of Apple's older APIs. That's why we're going to tell you everything you need to know about it!
What is Objective-C?
Objective-C is an object-oriented programming language that extends the C language by incorporating features from Smalltalk.
It was created in the 1980s and is used to develop applications for Apple ecosystems such as iOS and macOS . Its ability to handle both C code and objects makes it flexible and powerful, although it is more complex than modern languages such as Swift.
Main features of Objective-C
Objective-C is distinguished by several features that keep it highly useful.
Being an extension of C, it allows you to integrate C code directly, which is very useful for low-level development.
Objective-C uses a messaging system similar to Smalltalk, allowing for greater flexibility in method calling.
This programming language includes a wide variety of libraries, such as Cocoa and Cocoa Touch , which are very important for developing applications on macOS and iOS.
Additionally, it offers support for Automatic Reference Counting (ARC), allowing you to manage memory efficiently.
Role of Objective-C in application development
Although the Swift programming language has gained great popularity in recent years, Objective-C still plays a major role in application development, especially in maintaining legacy code.
Many existing applications were written in Objective-C, and rewriting them in Swift isn't always practical! Additionally, some Apple APIs still work better with Objective-C, making it a good choice for projects that rely on these more established technologies.
Use in iOS and macOS development
Objective-C remains a widely used resource for developing applications for iOS and macOS, especially in long-term projects or those that require integration with older systems .
While Swift is simpler and more modern, Objective-C offers greater stability in certain contexts, especially when working with large existing codebases or when more granular control over memory and performance is needed.
For many developers, knowledge of Objective-C remains a valuable skill, as it provides access to the vast amount of resources and documentation that has accumulated over the years.
Advantages and disadvantages of using Objective-C
It has already become clear that this programming language remains important in the development of applications for iOS and macOS, although before starting to use it, it is advisable to know the main advantages and disadvantages of Objective-C .
Its main strengths include its compatibility with C and C++ , its maturity and the stability it offers, and the fact that it supports previous versions of iOS.
However, we must not forget that its syntax is more complex than that of Swift , and that it may offer lower performance than its main alternative.
Tools and resources for Objective-C programmers
