news.volyx.in

The Swift SDK for Android (swift.org)

696 points by gok · 274 days ago · 280 comments on HN

Article summary

The Swift SDK for Android is now available, allowing developers to build Android applications using the Swift programming language. This milestone is the result of months of effort by the Android workgroup, building on years of community effort. The SDK enables developers to share code across platforms and develop Android applications in Swift, with over 25% of packages in the Swift Package Index already building for Android. A Getting Started guide and Android examples are available to help developers get started.

Main themes

  • Swift on Android
  • Cross-platform development
  • Mobile app development
  • Programming languages
  • Android SDK
  • Swift SDK

What commenters say

  • The Swift SDK for Android allows developers to build Android applications in Swift, but it's not yet possible to build and deploy Android apps directly from Xcode.
  • Some developers believe that React Native will remain a popular choice for mobile development due to its large community and ease of use, despite the introduction of the Swift SDK for Android.
  • Others argue that Kotlin is better positioned to become a de facto language for mobile development, given its existing multiplatform capabilities and backing by a company that makes money from tools.
  • There are differing opinions on the ease of use and effectiveness of the Swift SDK for Android, with some developers expressing excitement and others warning of potential difficulties and limitations.
  • Some developers think that using native tools and languages for each platform is still the best approach, rather than trying to use a single language across multiple platforms.
  • The introduction of the Swift SDK for Android may not necessarily mean that Swift will become the dominant language for mobile development, as other factors such as ecosystem and community support are also important.
  • The Swift SDK for Android has the potential to accelerate innovation across the mobile ecosystem, but its success will depend on factors such as adoption and community engagement.
  • There are different approaches to building Android apps with Swift, including using the Swift SDK directly or using tools like Skip that provide additional features and integration.