Limitations of Using Objective-C
After looking into the uses and comparisons with Swift, let’s now have a look at the limitations of Objective-C that developers must consider before choosing Objective-C as a programming language for a project.
1. Verbose syntax
Compared to modern programming languages, the syntax of Objective-C is verbose and complex to use. Standards such as square bracket notation for a method call and manual memory management reduce code readability and increase code verbosity.
2. Less Industry Trend
With the arrival of Swift as Apple’s preferred language for new development, the current industry trend is shifting away from Objective-C. This could potentially result in job opportunities and career growth for those developers who specialize solely in Objective-C.
3. Manual Memory Management:
Objective-C relies on manual memory management via retain-release cycles, which can be error-prone and result in memory leaks and crashes if not handled carefully. Developers are forced to manage memory explicitly while using Objective-C, which increases complexity.
4. Limited Safety Features
Objective-C doesn’t have the safety features that modern languages such as Swift have. The absence of nullable checks compile time results in runtime application crashes. Developers may face type-related issues due to its dynamic support feature.
5. Learning Curve
Objective-C has a deep learning curve, especially for developers who are new to its syntax and concepts such as pointers and manual memory management. Objectice-C’s dynamic nature may require additional time and effort for developers to understand.
6. Transition to the Swift language
With the arrival of Swift as the preferred language for Apple platform development, developers are transitioning from Objective-C to Swift. Swift came up with many features, such as modern syntax, nullable support, and concise coding. While both languages are interoperable, migrating from existing Objective-C codebases to Swift or integrating Swift code into Objective-C projects can be difficult and time-consuming.
What Is Objective C? (Definition, Uses, vs. Swift)
In this huge world of software development, especially within Apple’s ecosystem, the language that underpins much of the innovation and creation is Objective-C. Rooted in computing history, Objective-C has been a favorite language for developers driving the intricacies of Apple’s platforms for many years. With the arrival of Swift, a modern, concise, and more efficient language than Onjective-C. Also, questions arise regarding the relevance and solid significance of Objective-C in today’s landscape.
In this article, we will have a deep look into the uses of Objective-C along with its comparison with the modern featured language Swift. Let’s get started.