Swift Control Flow

Today we’ll look at control flow statements like if, for, and switch. These statements are the decision makers of Swift, allowing you to create dynamic software. Understanding control flow means you can write code that can branch, loop, and make decisions based on the data it encounters. What is Control Flow? Control flow determines the order in which your code executes. Instead of just running line by line from top to bottom, control flow lets you skip sections, repeat operations, or choose between different paths based on conditions. It’s what transforms a simple list of instructions into intelligent software. ...

Swift Operators

If you’ve been working with Swift for a while, you’ve probably been using operators without giving them much thought. They’re the symbols that let you perform calculations, compare values, and combine logic. Some examples include +, -, ==, and &&. Understanding operators properly will help you write cleaner, more expressive Swift code. What Are Operators? An operator is a symbol that tells Swift to perform a specific operation on one, two, or three values. They are like the verbs of programming, that perform action on data types ...

Swift Basic Data Types

If you’re just getting started with Swift, you’ll quickly realise that everything revolves around data—numbers, text, true/false values, lists of things. Understanding Swift’s basic data types is like learning the alphabet before you write sentences. This post covers the essential building blocks you’ll use in every Swift project. What are Data Types? A data type defines the kind of data you’re working with and what actions you can perform on it. Are you handling a number or a name? A true/false flag or a list of groceries? Swift is a strongly typed language, which means you must be clear about what types you’re working with. Swifts compiler will catch errors early if you make mistakes. ...

Swift Variables & Constants

Understanding variables and constants is one of the first steps in learning Swift. These building blocks will enable you to store, update, and manage data in your programs. In this post, we’ll cover what variables and constants are, how to use them, and why you should prefer one over the other depending on your use-case. What Are Variables? A variable is a named space in memory where you can store information that might change over time. ...

How to build URLs in Swift

Building URLs safely and expressively is a common requirement in Swift applications—especially when dealing with REST APIs. In this post, we’ll explore four elegant approaches to construct URLs in Swift: manual string interpolation, Foundation’s URLComponents, a custom URL‐builder DSL, and an enum‐driven router. By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of trade‐offs and patterns you can adopt in your own codebase. Manual String Interpolation The simplest approach is to build the URL by concatenating strings: ...

Unraveling Swift Result Builders

In Swift 5.4, a powerful new feature was introduced that revolutionised how we can work with composable pieces of code: Result Builders. If you’ve written any SwiftUI code, you’ve probably already encountered this feature without realizing it. Result Builders underpin much of the magic that makes SwiftUI’s declarative syntax possible. However, their use isn’t limited to SwiftUI. In this blog post, we’re going to delve into Result Builders, what they are, and how you can use them to build more expressive and powerful APIs. ...

June 11, 2023 · Mike Gopsill ·  Swift