Swift Skills

What is Swift?

Swift skills use a programming language created by Apple for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS development. It is meant to work well with the large body of existing Objective-C (ObjC) code written for Apple products. Some of the core concepts it supports are dynamic dispatch, widespread late binding, and extensible programming. Swift is described as “safe” with features that help address common programming errors.

What to use Swift for

• iOS App Development: Swift is primarily used for iOS app development, enabling developers to build native iOS applications with rich user interfaces, smooth animations, and seamless integration with device features such as camera, sensors, and touch gestures.
• macOS App Development: Swift can also be used for macOS app development, enabling developers to create native Mac applications with modern user interfaces, menu bars, and system integrations, and to take advantage of macOS features such as iCloud, Core Data, and Grand Central Dispatch.
• watchOS and tvOS Development: Swift is used for watchOS and tvOS development, enabling developers to build apps for Apple Watch and Apple TV platforms, respectively, with features such as complications, notifications, and Apple TV controls, and to create immersive experiences for wearable and living room devices.
• Server-Side Development: Swift can be used for server-side development, thanks to frameworks like Vapor and Kitura, enabling developers to build backend services, APIs, and web applications using Swift, and to leverage Swift’s performance and safety features on the server.
• Cross-Platform Development: Swift can be used for cross-platform development, with frameworks like SwiftUI and Combine enabling developers to build applications that run across multiple Apple platforms, sharing code and resources to maximize code reuse and developer productivity.

Companies of all sizes use Hired to find engineers with Swift skills

What is a Swift developer?

• Apple Platform Developer: A Swift developer is a developer who specializes in building applications for Apple platforms, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
• Proficient in Swift: A Swift developer is proficient in using Swift programming language, including its syntax, data types, control flow, error handling, and built-in features, enabling them to write expressive, efficient, and scalable code for Apple platform development.
• Familiar with Apple Ecosystem: A Swift developer is familiar with the Apple ecosystem, including Apple development tools (Xcode, Instruments), Apple frameworks (UIKit, AppKit, SwiftUI), and Apple platform guidelines (Human Interface Guidelines, App Store Review Guidelines), enabling them to create high-quality, native applications that meet Apple’s standards and user expectations.
• Experience with Cocoa and Cocoa Touch: A Swift developer has experience with Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks, libraries, and APIs, including Foundation, Core Data, Core Graphics, Core Animation, and UIKit/AppKit, enabling them to leverage Apple’s rich ecosystem of pre-built components and tools for building robust and feature-rich applications.
• Continuous Learner: A Swift developer is a lifelong learner who stays updated with the latest advancements in Swift language, Apple platforms, development tools, and best practices, and actively seeks opportunities for learning and professional development to enhance their skills and stay competitive in the field.

Most important Swift developer skills in 2024

• Swift Programming: Mastery of Swift programming language and its core features, including optionals, generics, closures, protocols, and error handling, enabling developers to write clean, expressive, and efficient code for Apple platform development.
• Apple Platform Development: Proficiency in Apple platform development, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, and familiarity with platform-specific frameworks, libraries, and APIs, enabling developers to create native applications that leverage platform features and capabilities effectively.
• UIKit and SwiftUI: Experience with UIKit and SwiftUI frameworks for building user interfaces on Apple platforms, including knowledge of view layout, navigation, gestures, animations, and state management, enabling developers to create intuitive and visually appealing user experiences for their applications.
• Xcode and Development Tools: Familiarity with Xcode IDE and development tools, including Interface Builder, Simulator, Debugger, and Instruments, for creating, debugging, profiling, and testing Swift applications, and for optimizing performance, memory usage, and app responsiveness.
• Concurrency and Asynchronous Programming: Knowledge of concurrency and asynchronous programming techniques in Swift, including Grand Central Dispatch (GCD), async/await, Combine framework, and asynchronous operations, for handling background tasks, network requests, and concurrent processing efficiently and safely.

Why should you hire Swift developers?

• Native App Development: Swift developers enable you to build native applications for Apple platforms, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, with rich user interfaces, smooth animations, and seamless integration with device features, providing a superior user experience and performance compared to cross-platform or web-based solutions.
• Access to Apple Ecosystem: Swift developers provide access to the Apple ecosystem, including Apple development tools, frameworks, libraries, and APIs, and familiarity with platform guidelines and standards, enabling you to create applications that leverage Apple’s technologies and adhere to Apple’s design and user experience principles.
• Innovation and Future-Proofing: Swift developers bring innovation and future-proofing to your app development projects, thanks to Swift’s modern features, performance optimizations, and ongoing evolution, ensuring that your applications stay up-to-date, compatible, and competitive in the ever-changing landscape of mobile and desktop software development.
• Quality and Reliability: Swift developers help you build high-quality and reliable applications, thanks to Swift’s safety features, strong type system, and extensive testing and quality assurance practices, ensuring the stability, security, and performance of your Swift applications in production environments.

Assess tech candidates for Swift skills

Looking for candidates skilled in Swift? Technical assessments are a multi-pronged solution. They allow you to streamline the hiring process and reduce bias with tech skill-focused benchmarks. 

Hired Assessments offer a library of hundreds of questions and customizable coding challenge campaigns tailored to technical preferences. Centralize and standardize your evaluation process as you surface top talent with specific, hard-to-find skills.

See how Mastercard and Axon used Hired Assessments to vet top candidates.

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Swift resources

Check out our resources to continue sharpening your Swift skills.

Hired profiles help developers showcase their top tech skills

After passing Hired skills assessments, candidates have the chance to showcase their skills to employers. They can opt to present an ‘Assessments’ badge on their profile. Candidates may take various assessments including Programming Skills, Full Stack, Backend, Frontend, iOS, Android, Debugging, Dev Ops Generalist, and Dev Ops AWS.