Apple releases Swift 5 with ABI compatibility @apple #IOS #Swift #SwiftPlaygrounds
Last week, Apple’s Swift programming language team unleashed Swift version 5! This is a major milestone were we now have ABI stability, compatibility with code compiled with future versions of Swift compilers and new coding features for developers.
Err, but what does ABI mean really?
Application Binary Interface stability. This means that Swift has matured as a language to the point where there will no longer be huge changes in how its compiler works that breaks compatibility with Swift apps and libraries that have already been compiled into binary.
This also means Swift 5’s ABI stability means app code compiled with today’s compiler won’t need to be recompiled to work reliably with dynamically linked libraries compiled in future versions of Swift.
In my opinion, this is the best time to learn the Swift programming language. Now we all learn the fundamentals for this language without fear of grammar changes, deprecated functions, etc. If you need help learning the Swift programming language, Apple has created the Swift Playgrounds app.
Swift Playgrounds is a revolutionary app for iPad that makes learning Swift interactive and fun. It requires no coding knowledge, so it’s perfect for students just starting out. Solve puzzles to master the basics using Swift — a powerful programming language created by Apple and used by the pros to build today’s most popular apps.
Adafruit also has a playground-book within the Swift Playgrounds app. Our Robot Rover playground-book has bluetooth capabilities that allows users to test their Swift programming skills by sending basic motion commands to the mini robot rover that would assemble from the My Mini Race Car Project Pack.
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!
