Description: Objective-C is a programming language that combines the syntax of the C language with an object-oriented programming model inspired by Smalltalk. Its main feature is messaging, which allows objects to communicate with each other in a flexible and dynamic way. This is achieved through a messaging system rather than traditional function calls, providing greater abstraction and modularity in the code. Objective-C is primarily used in the development of applications for various platforms, including mobile and desktop environments, being the main language for software creation in the Apple ecosystem for many years. Its design allows for the integration of C and C++ code, facilitating the reuse of existing libraries and interoperability with other languages. Despite the introduction of Swift as the preferred language for development on Apple platforms, Objective-C remains relevant and widely used in existing projects and in the codebase of many popular applications.
History: Objective-C was created in the 1980s by Brad Cox and Tom Love at Stepstone, as an extension of the C language that incorporated object-oriented programming features. In 1988, it was adopted by NeXT, the company founded by Steve Jobs, leading to its use in software development for the NeXTSTEP platform. With Apple’s acquisition of NeXT in 1997, Objective-C became the primary language for application development on macOS and iOS, solidifying its role as a fundamental tool in the Apple ecosystem.
Uses: Objective-C is primarily used for application development in various environments, including mobile and desktop platforms. It is the language of choice for many applications as well as for the development of libraries and frameworks that integrate into these platforms. Although Swift has gained popularity, Objective-C continues to be used in existing projects and in the codebase of many applications.
Examples: An example of the use of Objective-C is Apple’s iMessage messaging application, which was developed using this language. Another case is the Cocoa framework, which provides the necessary tools for creating applications on various platforms. Additionally, many third-party applications in different application stores have been written in Objective-C, demonstrating its relevance in software development across diverse environments.
