Ask Slashdot: Swift Or Objective-C As New iOS Developer's 1st Language?

macs4all (973270) writes "I am an experienced C and Assembler Embedded Developer who is contemplating for the first time beginning an iOS App Project. Although I am well-versed in C, I have thus-far avoided C++, C# and Java, and have only briefly dabbled in Obj-C. Now that there are two possibilities for doing iOS Development, which would you suggest that I learn, at least at first? And is Swift even far-enough along to use as the basis for an entire app's development? My goal is the fastest and easiest way to market for this project; not to start a career as a mobile developer. Another thing that might influence the decision: If/when I decide to port my iOS App to Android (and/or Windows Phone), would either of the above be an easier port; or are, for example, Dalvick and the Android APIs different enough from Swift/Obj-C and CocoaTouch that any 'port' is essentially a re-write?"

Comments

Re:Why are you in charge of the decision?

[macs4all]

OP here.

You are correct, at least partially, Barbara. This IS more of a case of "I have a cool idea..." But I thought I made that clear.

And there is neither the budget nor time to do what you, and others, have suggested; contract it out, as sensible a suggestion as that may be.

But, not every useful App needs a top-notch Developer; and I have been a Developer (and quite often the only one) on enough Projects, for enough disciplines, for enough decades, that I can tell you with confidence that in any reasonable Language, this is a medium-low-complexity Project. The people that have said that I will spend more time mastering the necessary Frameworks than learning whichever Language, are exactly singing to me...

I do, of course, intend to start learning the IDE and APIs (at least for iOS) before I seriously commit to a programming Language; but I just thought I could take advantage of the Collective Intelligence of the Slashdot Community, mainly to see if there was a clear consensus as to whether, at this point in time, there was a clear "winner".

I am intensely grateful that the vast majority of the Posters Responded with thoughtful and non-condescending advice. Too bad you were too busy with your arrogant belittlement and holier-than-thou self-aggrandizement to offer anything worthwhile.

Thanks...