Swift is a fantastic way to write software, whether it’s for phones, desktops, servers, or anything else that runs code. It’s a safe, fast, and interactive programming language that combines the best in modern language thinking with wisdom from the wider Apple engineering culture and the diverse contributions from its open-source community. The compiler is optimised for performance and the language is optimised for development, without compromising on either.

Swift is friendly to new programmers. It’s an industrial-quality programming language that’s as expressive and enjoyable as a scripting language. Writing Swift code in a playground lets you experiment with code and see the results immediately, without the overhead of building and running an app.

Swift defines away large classes of common programming errors by adopting modern programming patterns:

1. Variables are always initialised before use.

2. Array indices are checked for out-of-bounds errors.

3. Integers are checked for overflow.

4. Optionals ensure that nil values are handled explicitly.

5. Memory is managed automatically.

6. Error handling allows controlled recovery from unexpected failures.

Swift code is compiled and optimised to get the most out of modern hardware. The syntax and standard library have been designed based on the guiding principle that the obvious way to write your code should also perform the best. Its combination of safety and speed make Swift an excellent choice for everything from “Hello, world!” to an entire operating system.

Swift combines powerful type inference and pattern matching with a modern, lightweight syntax, allowing complex ideas to be expressed in a clear and concise manner. As a result, code is not just easier to write, but easier to read and maintain as well.

OBJECTIVES

You will learn:

1. The basics, on how to write your first Swift code using Xcode.

2. Then, you'll learn how to create new app projects that will create full-fledged apps.

3. You will practise how to debug and build an interface (UI) for your app..

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS COURSE

1. If you are aspiring to learn Swift programming language 

2. You want to develop iOS and Mac apps

3. Or simply because you want to learn programming (Yes, Swift is probably the easiest language to learn!)

METHODOLOGY

This is a 1 day hands-on course. The trainer will explain how to write Swift program, using the Swift Playground (Swift Playgrounds is a revolutionary app for iPad and Mac that helps you learn to code and build apps using Swift) using step-by-step practice sessions.

You will design your own app and also modify existing apps. You will get ample practise so that you can apply them in practical situations when working on Swift development projects.

A Mac computer with Xcode installed (free version) is required for this training.

COURSE OUTLINE

(THIS IS A 1 DAY TRAINING PROGRAMME)

1. BASICS OF SWIFT

Open and run a provided Xcode Playground

Produce a new, blank Xcode Project

Write functional Swift code

Execute new syntax in Xcode Playgrounds

Recognise the use of control flow in swift coding

2. App Development Process

Differentiate the ordered phases in the app development process and their unique importance

Employ thoughtful design thinking during the app planning process

Recognise and intervene when the app development process is rushed

3. Debugging and Problem Solving

Recognise individual lines of code and the result of their execution

Identify errors and bugs, explain their problems, and correct them

Identify working code and non-working code

Utilise Apple documentation to understand project-specific syntax

4. Interface Builder

Practice building a UI in Xcode

Create outlets and actions for UI elements

Distinguish between good and bad UI design

Model a successful UI in a wireframe

5. More Swiftly

Write code that interacts with the UI using UIKit

Utilise Storyboards to layout the UX

Generate loops, functions, and custom data types

Build UI's with Auto Layout that scale on different sized devices

6. Portfolio Project

Create a portfolio to showcase coding projects

7. More Swiftly Continued

Work with custom data types in Swift

Develop in-app workflows and navigation with multiple screens

8. App Exercise

Create an app through a guided planning process

Write apps that combine all of the Swift and Xcode tools introduced thus far

9. Staying Current

Understand the importance of app maintenance

Implement readable code

Write useful and clear comments

Identify professional development opportunities