iOS 13 Programming Fundamentals with Swift

Introduction

The book «iOS 13 Programming Fundamentals with Swift» by Matt Neuburg is not just another guide to the Swift language. It is a fundamental work that has remained a go-to book for thousands of Apple platform developers for many years. The 2019 edition, dedicated to iOS 13, was released during the transition to Swift 5 and the new version of Xcode, making it especially valuable for those who want to master the technologies relevant at that time. The book spans 774 pages and covers both basic language concepts and in-depth aspects of working with Apple's toolset.

What This Book Is About

The book is divided into several logical parts, each dedicated to key aspects of iOS development. Unlike many "recipes" or tutorials, Neuburg emphasizes understanding the inner workings of the technologies. You will not only learn how to write an app but also understand why it works the way it does.

Main topics covered in the book:

• Swift 5 Language — from syntax to advanced features: optionals, closures, protocols, generics, memory management.
• Xcode Tools — working with the editor, debugger, Interface Builder, build system, and dependency management.
• Cocoa Touch Fundamentals — app architecture, lifecycle, working with UIViewController, UIView, Auto Layout.
• Working with Data — Core Data, Codable, UserDefaults, file system.
• Multithreading and Asynchrony — GCD, OperationQueue, async/await (in the context of Swift 5).
• Testing and Debugging — XCTest, profiling, working with the console.

Who This Book Is For

The book is aimed at beginner and intermediate developers who already have a basic understanding of programming (e.g., in Python, Java, or C#) and want to transition into the iOS world. However, it will also be useful for experienced programmers who want to systematize their knowledge or switch from Objective-C to Swift. Neuburg does not waste time explaining the basics of algorithms or data structures — he immediately dives into platform specifics.

What the Reader Will Learn

After reading the book, you will be able to:

• Confidently write in Swift 5, using all modern language constructs.
• Set up a project in Xcode, work with git, manage dependencies via CocoaPods or Swift Package Manager.
• Create interfaces using Auto Layout and Storyboards, as well as programmatically.
• Understand the app lifecycle and properly manage memory.
• Work with networking, parse JSON, save data locally.
• Write unit tests and conduct performance debugging.
• Use multithreading to create responsive applications.

Strengths

The main advantage of the book is its depth and systematic approach. Matt Neuburg is known for his meticulous style: he explains not only the "how" but also the "why." For example, the section on closures in Swift is one of the best in the literature. Also worth noting:

• Relevance — the book was released for iOS 13 and Swift 5, making it relevant for modern projects (even with the release of new versions, the fundamentals remain unchanged).
• Practical Examples — the code in the book is functional and can be used immediately in your projects.
• Structure — each chapter ends with a summary and self-test questions.
• Author's Authority — Matt Neuburg is one of the leading iOS experts, author of many books and articles.

Who Is Recommended

The book is ideal for:

• Beginner iOS developers who want to build a solid foundation.
• Programmers transitioning from other languages (Python, Java, C#).
• Students of iOS courses looking for additional theoretical material.
• Experienced developers