Is iOS Development Hard to Learn?

At the root of learning iOS development is learning a programming language (or two). But while picking up Swift or Objective-C is not quite as simple as falling off a log, it is manageable, especially if you approach it with patience, determination, and a plan.

If Swift or Objective-C is not your first programming language, you’re already at an advantage, as your basic understanding of what programming is and how it works is already in place. And you’ll also find that many of the concepts (if not the commands) used in other programming languages are transferable to Swift and Objective-C.

Objective-C’s syntax can be quite complex, making the learning curve steep, but if you already know C going in, you will, at least, understand the underlying ideas.

Swift, with its much cleaner syntax, is easier to learn. Its gentler learning curve means you can begin applying basic concepts in a practical way almost immediately, even without an understanding of more advanced concepts.

If you’re beginning the process with no background in programming, one of the obstacles you’ll face is how to improve your work without feedback; in this case, enrolment in an iOS Developer course, whether that’s an online course or in person, will be extremely helpful, as it will give you the opportunity to hear where your code’s going wrong, and reassurance when you’ve got it right. With helpful feedback, it’s relatively straightforward (at least when compared to other programming languages) to learn Swift to the point where you can begin doing useful things with it.

Of course, knowing Swift or Objective-C doesn’t quite make you a Developer yet. You’ll still need to understand how these languages work to assemble objects into a comprehensive app, how to build on them inside the Xcode environment, how APIs function, and how to use the myriad tools it takes to complete the process from start to finish.

One of the best ways to accomplish this is simply to start. Think of a simple task, then set about solving how to perform it. As you complete these small steps—focusing on individual problems rather than trying to build a sprawling, complex app straight off—you’ll learn new strategies you can apply while also gaining an understanding of top-level development concepts.