Hire Swift developers pre-screened for technical and cultural fit

Swift is a programming language created by Apple to build apps for the operating systems in the Apple environment. It enables programmers to develop lightweight, feature-rich applications in Apple.

Businesses that leverage Swift development can create applications compatible across Apple’s ecosystem. Swift development enables visually appealing user interfaces and experiences with the assistance of frameworks like SwiftUI and UIKit. Swift developers ensure quality and performance by deeply understanding Apple’s platforms. However, hiring Swift developers is a competitive process requiring substantial time and energy.

Swift is a newer programming language created in 2014, making finding proficient and experienced developers challenging. Smaller companies may find it difficult to compete with offers from larger organizations when recruiting Swift developers, as the demand for these experts far exceeds the number of qualified programmers available. Still, companies planning to sell products compatible with Apple products must find and hire Swift developers.

What Is Swift Development?

Developers use Swift to build apps that run on Apple operating systems, such as macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. As a secure, fast, and interactive language, it’s ideal for creating dynamic, high-performing, and efficient iOS apps.

With the performance and efficiency of a low-level language combined with the readability and ease of a high-level language, Swift generates code that’s fast and easy to understand. Developers use Swift for server-side, desktop, and mobile app development.

Developers use Swift to create all types of programs as a general-purpose language. Some of the most well-known apps developed with Swift include Lyft, Airbnb, Khan Academy, and Kickstarter.

Why Swift Development?

Many customers who use mobile applications on iPhones or other Apple devices remain loyal to the brand, making Swift development a vital consideration for any business.

Deciding to create an iOS product means it will be available through the App Store, a trusted application marketplace that enforces strict safety procedures. Customers perceive App Store applications as higher quality. The App Store also allows for a streamlined payment process where businesses can increase revenue through subscriptions, in-app purchases, and advertising. Swift cannot build applications for Android.

Swift also offers features that put it above similar languages, such as Objective-C. Because of the concise syntax of Swift, developers can finish projects faster. The language is less prone to bugs and crashes and provides high performance that Apple continues to optimize.

Benefits of Swift Development

Swift is one of the most used programming languages in iOS development. While reaching the Apple market remains a big draw to utilizing Swift, it also comes with other benefits. Some of the advantages of using Swift as a programming language include:

• Interoperability with Objective-C: Swift developers can access the libraries and frameworks of Objective-C to streamline their workflows. Developers can also use the Swift language and Objective-C interchangeably in the same project.
• Simple syntax: The language is clean and expressive, meaning developers need less code to perform tasks than other languages such as Objective-C. The simplified syntax and grammar allow for faster development and fewer bugs.
• Community: Swift boasts a vibrant community that stems from its open-source nature. Swift's support from Apple and IBM has helped it attain a large following, contributing to its constant evolution.
• Memory management: Swift’s Automatic Reference Counting (ARC) tracks and manages all memory usage from the app, relieving developers of the need to do it manually. ARC also prevents memory leaks.

What Does a Swift Developer Do?

Swift developers design, build, and maintain software for iOS and macOS applications using the Swift programming language. A Swift developer may be responsible for the following tasks:

• Design and develop new apps or features using Swift and associated tech stacks
• Test and debug software to ensure security and performance
• Meet with other developers, designers, and stakeholders to identify application requirements
• Update and maintain existing Swift code to add new features, fix bugs, or address security issues
• Conduct regular code reviews to ensure it meets standards and guidelines
• Use code-version management tools like GitHub to track and document code changes
• Solicit feedback from end users and clients to improve an app’s design and function
• Research and implement new technologies, frameworks, and methodologies to stay up to date with innovations in software development

Required Skills and Qualifications

Effective developers have a blend of technical know-how and soft skills. Hire a Swift developer with a sturdy combination of both. Soft skillsets ensure developers can work well with others and consistently meet deadlines. Being a creative problem-solver to find solutions autonomously speeds up the development process and doesn’t pull in other developers to help solve the issue.

Time management is also critical; Swift developers receive multiple tasks, and those who prioritize and execute them promptly will facilitate the development speed. Teamwork is another soft skill that will improve development. Developers that work well with others and communicate efficiently will enhance the entire team's effectiveness. Clearly delineating what a developer needs from team members or actively listening and empathizing with a team will improve a project’s quality.

The most important hard skill that Swift developers need is mastery of the Swift language. Proficiency in this programming language includes protocol-oriented programming, error handling, and generics. Other beneficial languages for Swift developers depend on the specific project but may include JavaScript, Objective-C, Java, and C++.

Swift developers must understand and have proficiency in the integrated development environment (IDE) Xcode, Apple’s IDE that allows them to write Swift code and debug and create interface designs for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, WatchOS, tvOS, etc.

Swift developers working on front-end tasks should also be familiar with user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designs. Creating attractive UI and UX designs that are user-friendly and appeal to customers. Developers can utilize SwiftUI or UIKit to build apps that comply with Apple’s standards.

Popular Web Development-Related Languages and Libraries

Swift developers make applications that perform across Apple products; it requires mastering the Swift programming language, the evolution of C, C++, and Objective-C. It features a concise syntax and data structures, such as dictionaries, arrays, and sets.

Related Languages

While proficiency in the Swift programming language is necessary for development, knowledge of other languages is also beneficial. Some languages that may be useful to Swift developers include:

• Objective-C: Objective-C is a general-purpose, object-oriented language. Developers can write OS X and iOS software with Objective-C. Swift is interoperable with Objective-C, making it a good language for them to be familiar with.
• Java: Java is an object-oriented programming language that works on an application’s back end. Swift developers who will need to port iOS apps to Android should understand Java as it is the official language for Android development.
• C++: C++ is a general-purpose language at the base of Objective-C and Swift. Knowledge of C++ is useful for performance optimization and for handling APIs.
• JavaScript: JavaScript is a front-end language developers use to create dynamic, interactive web applications. JavaScript allows for adding features like real-time updates, animations, and machine learning.

Related Libraries and Frameworks

Developers can utilize libraries and frameworks to speed up and enhance development. Some of the common libraries and frameworks that Swift developers use include:

• Flutter: Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit (SDK) for front-end and full-stack developers. Flutter assists developers in designing interfaces by giving them access to prewritten code, customizable widgets, libraries, etc.
• Core data: Core Data is an Apple framework that allows developers to visually design the abstract representation of stored data through Xcode. Core Data manages objects and relationships on top of a storage technology, freeing up time for developers.
• Foundation: Developers use the front-end framework Foundation to access graphic UI components such as templates and code snippets. Foundation provides basic building blocks that developers can utilize to build the UI.
• SwiftUI: SwiftUI assists developers in building UI for Apple platforms with views, control, and layouts. Developers can utilize SwiftUI’s concise syntax to speed up development time.

Popular Swift Development Programming Tools

There are multiple tools developers utilize to assist Swift app development. Some of the most popular programming tools that Swift developers use to enhance their workflows include:

• CocoaPods: CocoaPods is a dependency manager that works on Objective-C and Swift projects. CocoaPods allows developers to sidestep issues with managing multiple libraries in a project.
• Xcode: Xcode is Apple’s IDE. Swift developers utilize Xcode to develop, test, and distribute apps that work across all Apple platforms. Developers can use Xcode to create, debug, and deploy applications.
• XCTest: XCTest works with Xcode projects. Developers can run unit, performance, and UI tests. XCTest is the fastest testing framework for developers working on iOS applications.
• Fastlane: Developers use the platform Fastlane to automate the releases and deployment of Android and iOS apps. Fastlane saves developers time and allows them to focus on building the app rather than the distribution of it.

How Does Swift Development Fit Into Modern App Development?

Swift is an upgraded version of C++ and Objective-C. Today, Apple favors the Swift scripting language over the likes of Objective-C. While developers cannot directly use Swift to build Android applications, developers can use it for server-side services when paired with other tools.

Swift’s place in modern app development revolves around its focus on performance, efficiency, and safety. Features in the Swift programming language allow developers to write scalable code that grows as the application's user base does. The concise syntax facilitates the rapid development and release of applications. With the integration of third-party tools, developers can blend machine learning and augmented reality into Swift-based apps.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Swift Developer?

The tech talent shortage and the high demand for iOS Swift developers drive high salaries and competitive benefits packages. Mid-level Swift developers with four to six years of experience in the U.S. earn an average annual salary of $108,182, which aligns with the typical salary for a software developer.

While Swift developers in Latin American countries are equally skilled, the lower cost of living means they earn 30% to 50% less than their U.S. counterparts, with salaries varying based on location and experience. Revelo provides a cost-effective solution while offering highly qualified, pre-vetted Latin American developers.

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Finding Swift Developers for Your Project

Finding high-quality Swift developers that suit business needs and fit well within your development team can be challenging. Before searching for candidates, hiring managers should consider the project's scope and decide what qualifications, skillsets, and experience levels are necessary for success. Different projects require different technical proficiency and soft skills. A solid understanding of what's needed will simplify the hiring process.

Hiring managers have several options to find the best candidates. Online developer communities and forums like Stack Overflow and GitHub offer excellent opportunities to find qualified and effective candidates. Searching through personal and professional networks, including social media platforms like LinkedIn, may yield results.

After narrowing down a list of candidates to those that fulfill the project's needs, conduct thorough interviews. Interview questions should be specific and target challenges and potential problems that the specific project will face. Consider a skills test to verify their aptitude and see how they problem-solve.

Why Hire Swift Developers With Revelo?

Businesses that want to take advantage of Apple’s loyal customer base and build products for its operating system will need Swift developers. However, finding, interviewing, and hiring the best Swift developers for a project requires time, energy, and capital that could go toward growing other areas of the business. Rather than divert your resources toward the hiring process, consider working with Revelo.

At Revelo, we understand the challenges of hiring tech talent in a competitive market and are committed to making the process easier. We help you source and hire world-class remote engineers in all tech stacks at a fraction of the cost. We also provide onboarding support by handling payroll and benefits administration, taxes, and compliance with local laws.

Contact Revelo today to hire dedicated Swift developers to take your business to the next level.

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