Learn Swift 5 for Beginners

Just updated. No programming experience needed. Follow this complete set of tutorials to learn Swift programming for building iOS apps. After going through the lessons, try the programming challenges at the end and get your name on the wall of fame!
Written by

Chris C

Updated on

May 29 2023

Table of contents
    This up to date guide will teach you the basics of the Swift programming language.

    If you’ve ever tried to learn Swift, you’ll know that there are tons of outdated resources floating around the internet because Swift is in its infancy and Apple updates the language so often.

    It’s a tremendous effort, but I’ve kept the following tutorials up to date and will continue to do so!

    With that said, let’s dive into the lessons!

    Psst! Download and print out my trusty Swift Syntax Cheat Sheet.


    Lessons


    Lesson 1 Variables

    1. Variables
    In this lesson, you’ll start at the very beginning with variables.

    Lesson 2 Data Types

    2. Data Types
    This lesson will show you some of the common data types you work with when building apps.

    Lesson 3 If Statements

    3. If Statements
    Learn how to write code that can make decisions!

    Lesson 4 Switch Statements

    4. Switch Statements
    Switch statements are another way for your code to make decisions.

    Lesson 5 Loops

    5. Loops
    Sometimes you just need to repeat something. Loops are just for that!

    Lesson 6 Loops Part 2

    6. Loops Part 2
    More on loops…

    Lesson 7 Functions

    7. Functions
    In this lesson, you’ll learn how to organize your code into actionable functions.

    Lesson 8 Functions Part 2

    8. Functions Part 2
    There’s a lot to functions! This lesson goes into more depth.

    Lesson 9 Classes

    9. Classes
    Classes are another way to organize your code. This lesson is a must!

    Lesson 11 UIKit

    11. UIKit
    The UIKit framework provides a lot of reusable code for us!

    Lesson 12 Initializers

    12. Initializers
    Initializers are important to understand along with classes.

    Lesson 13 Optionals

    13. Optionals
    In this lesson, you’ll learn what an optional is.

    Lesson 14 Properties

    14. Properties
    Properties are kind of like variables but in the context of a class.

    Lesson 15 Initializers Part 2

    15. Initializers Part 2
    More on initializers…

    Lesson 16 Arrays

    16. Arrays
    You’re starting to learn about collection types now! Arrays are first.

    Lesson 17 Dictionaries

    17. Dictionaries
    Dictionaries are another collection type.


    Challenges

    Want to test what you’ve learned? Take a crack at the challenges below!

    You may have to review some of the lessons to refresh your memory but I guarantee that completing these challenges will reinforce what you’ve learned in the lessons above.

    When you complete all of the challenges, get your name on the Wall of Fame in the next section!

    Instructions

    Challenge #1: The Lost Animal Challenge
    In this challenge, you’ll write a function that searches two arrays to find an animal.

     

    Download the starter code for this challenge

    Challenge #2: The Caterpillar Challenge
    In this challenge, you’ll implement the missing function code to make this caterpillar go!

     

    Download the starter code for this challenge

    Challenge #3: The Library Challenge
    In the toughest challenge of this series yet, you’ll complete the class definition to enable searching for books, checking in/out books and also checking for errors too!

     

    Download the starter code for this challenge

    Solutions


    Wall of Fame

    Get your name and Twitter profile mentioned here!

    Step 1: Complete the challenges in the Challenges section above.

    Step 2: Click the card below to send out the tweet! I’ll see your tweet and I’ll add your name below and a link to your Twitter profile.

    I completed all the Learn Swift challenges! Try them here: https://codewithchris.wpengine.com/learn-swift @CodeWithChrisClick To Tweet

    After you complete the challenges, Click to Tweet above and pronounce your victory! I’ll add your name below:




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