When building mobile apps, especially for iOS devices, Objective-C remains a foundational programming language. Despite the increasing popularity of Swift, Objective-C is still widely used, particularly in legacy systems or projects with long-term maintenance requirements. If you're looking to hire objective c developers, knowing the essential skills they should possess is critical to ensuring a successful development process and a high-quality product. In this article, we'll explore the top 10 skills to look for when hiring Objective-C developers.
1. Proficiency in Objective-C
The most obvious skill an Objective-C developer must have is proficiency in the language itself. While many developers may be familiar with a variety of programming languages, Objective-C is distinct due to its syntax and unique features. A strong foundation in Objective-C will allow developers to effectively navigate Apple’s development ecosystem, especially when working with legacy code or frameworks built in Objective-C.
A proficient Objective-C developer should:
Understand the basic syntax and structure of the language.
Be familiar with object-oriented programming concepts like classes, inheritance, and polymorphism.
Have experience with memory management, particularly using manual reference counting (MRC) or Automatic Reference Counting (ARC).
Be able to work with blocks and Grand Central Dispatch (GCD) for concurrency.
Have a deep understanding of protocols, categories, and delegates, which are central to Objective-C’s design.
2. Expertise in iOS Development Frameworks
Objective-C is closely associated with Apple's ecosystem, so an Objective-C developer should be well-versed in the iOS development frameworks that are integral to building apps. Frameworks such as UIKit, CoreData, CoreAnimation, and Foundation are essential for creating functional, performant apps. Developers should also be comfortable with third-party libraries and tools to accelerate development.
Key frameworks to look for experience in include:
UIKit: For building user interfaces for iOS applications.
CoreData: For managing object graphs and persistency within an app.
CoreGraphics: For 2D drawing and image manipulation.
CoreAnimation: For animations and visual effects in iOS applications.
Foundation: For fundamental data structures and utilities in Objective-C.
Familiarity with these frameworks will allow your developer to craft elegant and feature-rich applications while ensuring compatibility with the latest iOS versions.
3. Solid Understanding of Memory Management
Memory management is one of the most critical aspects of Objective-C programming. In Objective-C, developers must manage memory either manually or using Automatic Reference Counting (ARC), which was introduced by Apple to simplify memory management. Even with ARC, developers need a clear understanding of retain cycles, memory leaks, and deallocations to ensure the app runs efficiently.
Key memory management skills include:
Understanding ARC: Knowing how to use ARC effectively to manage memory automatically.
Manual Memory Management: In cases where ARC is not applicable, developers should understand how to manually retain and release objects.
Dealing with Retain Cycles: A strong developer will be able to identify and fix retain cycles that lead to memory leaks, ensuring the app is performant.
4. Experience with Swift Interoperability
While Objective-C is the backbone of iOS development, Swift is Apple's modern programming language for app development. A proficient Objective-C developer should not only be skilled in Objective-C but also have experience working with Swift, as most iOS projects are now written in a combination of both languages.
Skills in Swift interoperability include:
Being able to mix Objective-C and Swift within the same project.
Using the Objective-C Bridging Header to allow Swift to access Objective-C code and vice versa.
Understanding Swift’s modern features like optionals, closures, and tuples, which may require adjustment in the context of Objective-C.
By hiring an Objective-C developer who is also skilled in Swift, you’ll ensure the developer can easily transition between both languages, allowing for greater flexibility in your project.
5. Experience with Git and Version Control Systems
Version control is essential for managing the development process, especially when multiple developers are involved. Git, being the most widely used version control system, is a must-have skill for any Objective-C developer. It allows developers to collaborate efficiently, track changes, and revert to previous versions of the code when necessary.
Look for the following skills in version control:
Branching and Merging: The developer should be adept at using branches to work on different features or bug fixes and merging them back into the main codebase without conflicts.
Commit Practices: Well-written commit messages and a structured commit history ensure that code changes are easy to track and understand.
Collaboration with Pull Requests: Understanding how to work with pull requests, code reviews, and CI/CD pipelines is essential in modern software development.
6. Knowledge of Design Patterns
Design patterns are proven solutions to common problems in software design. A skilled Objective-C developer should be familiar with various design patterns that help create maintainable and scalable applications.
Some of the most useful design patterns in Objective-C include:
MVC (Model-View-Controller): Apple’s default design pattern for iOS apps. It helps separate concerns, making code more modular and easier to maintain.
Singleton: Used for managing shared resources like network connections or shared data storage.
Observer: Allows an object to notify other objects when a state change occurs, useful for handling events.
Delegate: Allows one object to send messages to another when an event occurs, a key concept in Objective-C.
A developer who understands these patterns will be able to write cleaner, more efficient code and deliver a better-maintained app over time.
7. Experience with Debugging and Performance Optimization
Debugging is an essential skill for any developer, and Objective-C developers are no exception. Whether it’s fixing bugs or optimizing performance, a good developer must know how to use debugging tools effectively.
Key skills include:
Using Xcode’s Debugger: Xcode provides a powerful suite of debugging tools that allow developers to track down issues like crashes, memory leaks, and performance bottlenecks.
Instruments: A powerful tool for profiling and monitoring memory usage, CPU performance, and other system resources in real-time.
Optimizing Code for Performance: Objective-C developers should know how to write efficient code, manage resources wisely, and optimize the performance of complex or resource-heavy operations.
8. Strong Understanding of Networking and APIs
Almost all modern apps need to interact with web services or APIs, and a competent Objective-C developer must be proficient in networking protocols and handling requests in an efficient way.
Key skills include:
Working with RESTful APIs: Making HTTP requests, handling JSON or XML responses, and parsing data effectively.
Asynchronous Networking: Using NSURLSession or third-party libraries like AFNetworking to make asynchronous network requests to ensure the app remains responsive.
Authentication and Security: Handling user authentication (OAuth, JWT) and ensuring secure communication over HTTPS.
The developer should also be adept at error handling in networking code to ensure that the app can gracefully recover from network failures or API issues.
9. Understanding of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Principles
UI/UX plays a crucial role in the success of an app. Objective-C developers should have a strong understanding of how to create user interfaces that are not only functional but also intuitive and easy to navigate.
Skills to look for include:
Proficiency in Interface Builder: Interface Builder is a graphical tool in Xcode for designing app interfaces. The developer should be familiar with building UI elements using Auto Layout and Storyboards.
Building Custom UI Components: Sometimes, apps need custom UI components. A good developer should know how to build reusable, modular, and customizable UI elements.
Responsive Design: The developer should know how to create interfaces that work across different screen sizes, orientations, and devices.
A strong UI/UX understanding ensures that the app will be visually appealing, functional, and enjoyable for users to navigate.
10. Communication and Collaboration Skills
Finally, one of the most important skills for any developer, including Objective-C developers, is the ability to communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders, and clients.
Look for:
Clear and Concise Communication: A good developer should be able to explain technical concepts in a simple and understandable manner.
Collaborative Mindset: Working well with other developers, designers, product managers, and other stakeholders is key to delivering a successful product.
Problem-Solving: The developer should be proactive in identifying problems, proposing solutions, and collaborating with others to fix issues.
Conclusion
When hiring Objective-C developers, it’s essential to look for a combination of technical expertise and soft skills. The ideal candidate should be proficient in Objective-C, familiar with iOS frameworks, and skilled in memory management, debugging, and performance optimization. Additionally, experience with Swift interoperability, version control, and UI/UX design are crucial for ensuring the developer can handle all aspects of the development process.
If you’re looking to hire Objective-C developers, be sure to consider these skills and attributes to find a candidate who can help you build high-quality, efficient, and scalable applications. With the right team in place, you can ensure the success of your iOS projects, both now and in the future.