Be swift, learn Swift

The time to learn some programming is here! The development community is buzzing with the announcement that Apple’s Swift programming language is now open source.

Although the language is not new, it is new to the open source environment. Apple is well known for its Alcatraz like protection and seclusion. It is therefore a rarity to see something so groundbreaking be made publicly available. Many programmers frown at the thought of learning new syntax. But really, what’s one more? Personally, I relish the opportunity to embrace the fear, anxiety and dream-catching that comes with new experiences. Especially when code is involved.

For these reasons and countless others, I urge you even implore you to begin your journey in software development now, starting with Swift.

Mobile-focused development is not required but will be beneficial given the current trends toward mobile-centric approaches. It’s understood that not everyone fits into this realm and most of the coding is left to the geeks, nerds or those less social. Adding a programming language to your repertoire allows you to stand out from the average professional. A couple of my favorite free resources to get going are: Codecademy, where you can learn to code interactively for free and edX, founded by Harvard University and MIT in 2012 offering high-quality courses from the world’s best universities and institutions to learners everywhere.

Don’t put it off any longer. No more excuses. What’s holding you back?