Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) is making it easier for mobile developers to "build rich experiences using Swift apps."
The company this month announced the Facebook SDK for Swift beta, which enables developers to integrate their iOS mobile apps with services on the social network.
Some of the key features of the Facebook SDK for Swift beta include:
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Facebook Analytics for Apps – Allows developers to find out who is using their apps and discover the best ways to improve app user engagement
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Facebook Login – Enables developers to add the capability for users to log in to an app with Facebook
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Share to Facebook – Ensures users can share from a developer's app to a Facebook timeline
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Facebook Graph API – Provides developers with data in and out of Facebook
In addition, the Facebook SDK for Swift beta supports Swift 2.2.1 and 2.3 and enables developers to submit apps to the Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) App Store.
The Facebook SDK for Swift beta represents a win-win for Facebook and Apple. But it provides a valuable opportunity for developers, too.
Ultimately, the Facebook SDK for Swift beta will allow Facebook developers to leverage all of Apple's platforms (iOS, watchOS, macOS and tvOS). It also ensures developers can add Facebook buttons into apps written in Swift quickly and effortlessly.
Apple made Swift open source last year, ensuring the programming language could extend beyond its own platforms.
Meanwhile, the Facebook SDK for Swift beta could help make Swift more appealing for developers and may lead them to use Swift to create new apps for Apple platforms that are commonly considered to be the best places to run code in Swift.
More than 72 percent of developers ranked Swift as one of the "most loved" programming languages in Stack Overflow's 2016 Developer Survey. And with the Facebook SDK for Swift beta now available, many developers could embrace the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of Swift programming and deploy Swift apps faster than ever before. - Dan, @FierceDeveloper