[ksec]

>I have to wonder: why did Apple create Swift ?

I asked this many times over the years, even in this thread [1]. Still no concrete answer. I still think overall it is a distraction.

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30418197

[skohan]

I thought it should be obvious. Apple was competing with Google/Android for mobile developers. For Android, you programmed in Java, which everyone learned in school. For iOS, this funny language with smalltalk syntax was a barrier to entry.

So Apple needed a nice language with C-like syntax to woo developers.

[pjmlp]

Plenty of Chris Lattner interviews answer that question.

https://atp.fm/205-chris-lattner-interview-transcript

[ksec]

I know Chris lather's intention. And I have read and listen to all the interview he did. I think the question should be, Why was it necessary for Apple to bet on Swift. Something I dont think Bertrand Serlet or Avie Tevanian would have done.

[pjmlp]

That is the answer right there, they weren't the ones calling the shots and the direction bought into Chris' intentions.

[ksec]

Oh well. I guess this is another thing I could blame it on Craig Federighi.

[Grustaf]

Because they wanted a modern language to power their platforms. Objective C is ancient, and showing it.