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Swift (iOS/macOS) topped the ranking of the most loved programming languages according to StackOverflow
The annual StackOverflow developer survey is one of the most authoritative sources of data on sentiment in the IT community. In 2024, an unexpected (but well-deserved) triumph was achieved by the Swift language, created by Apple for development on iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. It not only entered the top but also took first place in the "Most Loved Programming Language" category, surpassing veterans like Rust, TypeScript, and Python.
Let's figure out why Swift evokes such sympathy among developers worldwide.
What do the numbers say?
According to the survey data, about 73% of developers using Swift expressed a desire to continue working with it next year. This is an incredibly high loyalty rate. For comparison: for Python, this figure is about 67%, and for JavaScript, it's about 60%. Swift confidently surpassed everyone.
Why exactly Swift?
The sharp rise in Swift's popularity is explained by several key factors that make it not just trendy, but a truly convenient tool:
- Modern syntax and safety: Swift was designed from scratch taking into account the mistakes of its predecessors (Objective-C). It is concise, expressive, and most importantly, memory safe. Optional types and strong typing prevent entire classes of bugs at the compilation stage.
- Power and speed: In terms of performance, Swift is very close to C++, but it is much easier to write in. It uses the LLVM compiler, which provides fast native code for Apple devices.
- Apple ecosystem: Swift is the "native" language for the entire Apple ecosystem. If you want to create applications for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple TV, Swift is the de facto standard. The SwiftUI and UIKit frameworks make interface development fast and enjoyable.
- Open Source: Since 2015, Swift has been an open source project. This means the community actively participates in its development, and the language itself can be used not only for Apple platforms (e.g., server-side Swift on Linux).
- Excellent documentation and community: Apple invests huge resources in documentation, and the Swift community is very friendly to beginners. Finding an answer on StackOverflow or a ready-made package via Swift Package Manager is not a problem.
What does this mean for developers?
Swift's victory in the ranking is a clear market signal. If you are thinking about which language to learn for mobile development, Swift currently looks like the most promising and enjoyable option. It not only allows you to earn well (the demand for iOS developers is consistently high) but also gives you pleasure from the process of writing code.
Furthermore, the growing popularity of Swift stimulates the development of tools (e.g., Swift Playgrounds for learning) and the emergence of new libraries. This means the entry threshold is lowering, while the possibilities are expanding.
Conclusion
The StackOverflow 2024 top confirmed what many Apple developers knew before: Swift is a language you want to write in. The combination of modern syntax, high performance, and a powerful ecosystem makes it an ideal choice for both startups and enterprise projects. If you are not yet familiar with Swift, now is the time to take a closer look at it.
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