Programming Languages

Objective-C

What is Objective-C?

Objective-C is a programming language used to create apps for Apple devices, like iPhones and iPads. It combines the features of C, a simpler programming language, with the power of Smalltalk, making it easier for developers to write and manage code.

Key Features of Objective-C

Object-Oriented: Objective-C focuses on objects that can hold data and methods. This helps organize code and makes it reusable.
Dynamic Runtime: This means that developers can change programs while they are running. It offers more flexibility compared to other languages.
Messaging System: Objective-C uses a unique way to send commands. Developers write messages to objects, which makes it easier to manage complex programs.

Why Learn Objective-C?

Apple App Development: If you're interested in making apps for iOS and macOS, learning Objective-C is important. Many existing apps are built with it.
Foundation for Other Languages: Knowing Objective-C can help you understand other programming languages, especially Swift, which is more modern but has roots in Objective-C.
Strong Community Support: There are many resources available, like tutorials and forums, where you can ask questions and learn from others.

Why Assess a Candidate's Objective-C Skills?

Assessing a candidate's Objective-C skills is important for several reasons:

1. App Development Expertise

Objective-C is widely used for creating apps on Apple devices. By checking a candidate’s skills, you can be sure they have the knowledge needed to build high-quality iOS and macOS applications.

2. Strong Problem-Solving Abilities

Candidates who know Objective-C often understand how to solve complex problems in programming. This skill is crucial for developing apps that run smoothly and meet user needs.

3. Compatibility with Existing Code

Many existing applications are built in Objective-C. Hiring someone skilled in this language ensures they can work with older code and maintain or improve existing apps without starting from scratch.

4. Foundation for Learning Swift

While Swift is becoming more popular, Objective-C is still relevant. Assessing Objective-C skills can indicate a candidate's ability to learn and adapt to other languages and technologies in the Apple ecosystem.

5. Team Collaboration

Understanding Objective-C helps candidates communicate effectively with team members who use this language. Strong collaboration can lead to better project outcomes and more efficient app development.

In summary, assessing Objective-C skills helps you find qualified candidates who can contribute effectively to your team and ensure successful app development.

How to Assess Candidates on Objective-C

Assessing candidates for their Objective-C skills can be done effectively using a combination of practical tests and coding challenges. Here are two relevant test types that can help you evaluate their proficiency:

1. Coding Challenges

Coding challenges are a great way to assess a candidate's ability to write Objective-C code. These challenges can include creating a simple app or solving specific programming problems. Using a platform like Alooba, you can set timed coding challenges that simulate real-world scenarios, allowing candidates to demonstrate their skills and problem-solving abilities.

2. Technical Assessments

Technical assessments can be tailored to test a candidate’s knowledge of Objective-C concepts. These assessments may include multiple-choice questions or short answer questions related to Objective-C syntax, object-oriented programming principles, and best practices. Alooba allows you to create custom assessments that cater specifically to Objective-C, ensuring that you evaluate the critical skills needed for your projects.

By utilizing these assessment types on platforms like Alooba, you can confidently gauge a candidate's Objective-C skills and make informed hiring decisions. This process helps ensure that your team has the right talent to create high-quality applications for the Apple ecosystem.

Topics and Subtopics in Objective-C

Understanding Objective-C involves several key topics and subtopics that form the foundation of this programming language. Here are some of the essential areas to explore:

1. Basic Syntax

Variables and Data Types
Operators (Arithmetic, Comparison, Logical, etc.)
Control Structures (if statements, loops)

2. Object-Oriented Programming

Classes and Objects
Inheritance and Polymorphism
Encapsulation

3. Memory Management

Automatic Reference Counting (ARC)
Manual Memory Management
Strong and Weak References

4. Methods and Functions

Defining Methods
Method Overloading
Class Methods vs. Instance Methods

5. Protocols and Delegates

Defining Protocols
Implementing Delegates
Protocol Composition

6. Frameworks and Libraries

Foundation Framework
UIKit Framework
Core Data Framework

7. Error Handling

Exception Handling
NSError Object

8. Blocks and Grand Central Dispatch (GCD)

Understanding Blocks
Using GCD for Concurrency

9. Networking

Making Network Requests
JSON Parsing
Handling API Responses

These topics and subtopics provide a comprehensive overview of Objective-C's capabilities and features. Understanding each area helps candidates showcase their expertise and prepares them for real-world app development challenges in the Apple ecosystem.

How Objective-C is Used

Objective-C is a versatile programming language primarily used for developing applications within the Apple ecosystem. Here are some key ways Objective-C is utilized:

1. iOS App Development

Objective-C is one of the main languages for building mobile applications for iPhones and iPads. Developers use Objective-C to create user interfaces, manage app data, and handle user interactions. This allows them to build high-quality, responsive applications that leverage the full power of iOS.

2. macOS Applications

In addition to iOS, Objective-C is also used for developing applications on macOS. Many desktop applications, including productivity tools and utilities, are written in Objective-C. The same principles of object-oriented programming apply, allowing developers to create robust software that runs seamlessly on Mac computers.

3. Game Development

Objective-C can also be used in game development for Apple devices. Developers use frameworks such as SpriteKit and SceneKit, which integrate with Objective-C, to create engaging graphics and immersive experiences. This enables the creation of both casual and complex games optimized for performance on iOS and macOS.

4. Integration with Swift

Although Swift has become the preferred language for many new Apple projects, Objective-C remains relevant. It allows developers to maintain and work with existing Objective-C codebases while also integrating Swift components. This duality enables companies to gradually transition to Swift without losing existing functionality.

5. Framework Development

Objective-C is used to develop frameworks that provide reusable code for other developers. These frameworks can encapsulate common functionalities, such as image processing, networking, or data storage, making it easier for developers to implement these features in their applications.

By understanding how Objective-C is used, developers can harness its capabilities to create a wide range of applications for Apple's platforms, ensuring they meet user demands and maintain high performance.

Roles That Require Good Objective-C Skills

Several roles in the tech industry require strong Objective-C skills, especially for projects related to iOS and macOS development. Here are some key positions where these skills are essential:

1. iOS Developer

iOS Developers are responsible for building applications for iPhones and iPads using Objective-C and Swift. They focus on creating user interfaces, managing data, and ensuring high performance of mobile apps.

2. Mobile App Developer

Mobile App Developers work on applications across various platforms, including Android and iOS. For those focusing on iOS, a solid understanding of Objective-C is crucial for maintaining existing apps and writing new code.

3. Software Engineer

Software Engineers often need to work on various projects, including desktop applications for macOS. Proficiency in Objective-C allows them to contribute to Apple-specific projects effectively.

4. Game Developer

Game Developers who create games for iOS often utilize Objective-C in conjunction with gaming frameworks like SpriteKit. Understanding Objective-C is essential for optimizing game performance and graphics.

5. iOS Application Tester

iOS Application Testers ensure that mobile apps function correctly. Knowledge of Objective-C allows them to understand the code behind the apps they are testing, making it easier to identify and troubleshoot issues.

These roles demonstrate the significance of Objective-C skills in developing and maintaining high-quality applications within the Apple ecosystem.

Unlock the Right Talent for Your Team

Assess Objective-C Skills with Confidence

Using Alooba to assess candidates in Objective-C not only streamlines your hiring process but also ensures you find qualified professionals who meet your project needs. Our platform offers tailored coding challenges and technical assessments that highlight a candidate's strengths in Objective-C, helping you make informed hiring decisions.

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Shen Liu, Logickube (Principal at Logickube)

We get a high flow of applicants, which leads to potentially longer lead times, causing delays in the pipelines which can lead to missing out on good candidates. Alooba supports both speed and quality. The speed to return to candidates gives us a competitive advantage. Alooba provides a higher level of confidence in the people coming through the pipeline with less time spent interviewing unqualified candidates.

Scott Crowe, Canva (Lead Recruiter - Data)

How can you accurately assess somebody's technical skills, like the same way across the board, right? We had devised a Tableau-based assessment. So it wasn't like a past/fail. It was kind of like, hey, what do they send us? Did they understand the data or the values that they're showing accurate? Where we'd say, hey, here's the credentials to access the data set. And it just wasn't really a scalable way to assess technical - just administering it, all of it was manual, but the whole process sucked!

Cole Brickley, Avicado (Director Data Science & Business Intelligence)

I wouldn't dream of hiring somebody in a technical role without doing that technical assessment because the number of times where I've had candidates either on paper on the CV, say, I'm a SQL expert or in an interview, saying, I'm brilliant at Excel, I'm brilliant at this. And you actually put them in front of a computer, say, do this task. And some people really struggle. So you have to have that technical assessment.

Mike Yates, The British Psychological Society (Head of Data & Analytics)

I was at WooliesX (Woolworths) and we used Alooba and it was a highly positive experience. We had a large number of candidates. At WooliesX, previously we were quite dependent on the designed test from the team leads. That was quite a manual process. We realised it would take too much time from us. The time saving is great. Even spending 15 minutes per candidate with a manual test would be huge - hours per week, but with Alooba we just see the numbers immediately.

Shen Liu, Logickube (Principal at Logickube)

We get a high flow of applicants, which leads to potentially longer lead times, causing delays in the pipelines which can lead to missing out on good candidates. Alooba supports both speed and quality. The speed to return to candidates gives us a competitive advantage. Alooba provides a higher level of confidence in the people coming through the pipeline with less time spent interviewing unqualified candidates.

Scott Crowe, Canva (Lead Recruiter - Data)

How can you accurately assess somebody's technical skills, like the same way across the board, right? We had devised a Tableau-based assessment. So it wasn't like a past/fail. It was kind of like, hey, what do they send us? Did they understand the data or the values that they're showing accurate? Where we'd say, hey, here's the credentials to access the data set. And it just wasn't really a scalable way to assess technical - just administering it, all of it was manual, but the whole process sucked!

Cole Brickley, Avicado (Director Data Science & Business Intelligence)

I wouldn't dream of hiring somebody in a technical role without doing that technical assessment because the number of times where I've had candidates either on paper on the CV, say, I'm a SQL expert or in an interview, saying, I'm brilliant at Excel, I'm brilliant at this. And you actually put them in front of a computer, say, do this task. And some people really struggle. So you have to have that technical assessment.

Mike Yates, The British Psychological Society (Head of Data & Analytics)

I was at WooliesX (Woolworths) and we used Alooba and it was a highly positive experience. We had a large number of candidates. At WooliesX, previously we were quite dependent on the designed test from the team leads. That was quite a manual process. We realised it would take too much time from us. The time saving is great. Even spending 15 minutes per candidate with a manual test would be huge - hours per week, but with Alooba we just see the numbers immediately.

Shen Liu, Logickube (Principal at Logickube)