What Is the Objective-C Language?

Key takeaways

Developers use Objective-C, an object-oriented programming language, to maintain and build upon existing apps for macOS and iOS. 

• Objective-C is an extension of C, which is a general-purpose language for building systems and desktop apps. 

• Objective-C is one of the foundational languages for many popular Apple apps, including Uber and Slack.

• You can use Objective-C in roles like application developer, iOS developer, and mobile engineer.

Discover more about Objective-C, including its benefits as a coding language and how you might use your Objective-C skills in the IT field. Or, start learning now with the Meta iOS Developer Professional Certificate. In as little as eight months, you can learn how to create applications for iOS systems and how to manage the lifecycle of a mobile app. By the end, you’ll have had the opportunity to create a portfolio with projects that show your ability to publish, deploy, and maintain iOS apps as well as cross-platform apps using React Native.

What is Objective-C, and what is it used for?

Objective-C is a programming language that has existed since 1980. Today, developers primarily use Objective-C when maintaining or extending existing apps for Apple’s macOS and iOS, though many developers now use Swift for new development. 

Programming languages create sets of instructions for a machine to follow, and different programming languages have different goals. Objective-C is object-oriented, which means it breaks functions into smaller tasks and sorts those tasks into classes. These classes allow developers to create modules, each handling a smaller portion of a larger task. Modules are reusable, which makes building apps that handle more extensive, complicated functions, such as messaging, easier. Objective-C supports extended data types and is safe for interacting with various data types.

When Objective-C was developed, its primary goal was to improve code reusability while simplifying syntax. Its design made it more flexible than traditional object-oriented programming languages, making it easier for programmers to design interactive user interfaces for apps. Objective-C has been around since 1980 and is part of the larger C programming language. It provides the functionality of procedural languages with the flexibility of the object-oriented framework.

Is Objective-C the same as C?

C is a general-purpose language for building systems and desktop apps, and Objective-C is an extension of it. C is the foundation of all other C languages, originating in the 1970s as a general-purpose language for Unix systems. Having experience with C means you have the skills necessary to branch out into learning other programming languages. Unlike Objective-C, the C language doesn’t have any object-oriented features.

Difference between C++ vs. Objective-C

C++ is a programming language that originated before Objective-C, and it was developers’ first attempt at creating an object-oriented language. C++ is critical for developing effective desktop apps. Objective-C is an expansion of C++’s functionality and flexibility.

Read more: What Is the Best Way to Learn C++? 

Difference between Swift vs. Objective-C

Swift is the newest programming language designed for app building. Swift is best for people with a limited coding background since its creators designed it with coding beginners in mind, and the syntax is much simpler. Swift also offers a more type-safe environment and better memory management, improving on a few key areas that Objective-C lacks. While many people consider Swift the next step in app development, many developers find it valuable to know both Objective-C and Swift.

Reasons to use Objective-C programming

Objective-C’s ability to easily create classes and reusable modules makes it an efficient option for developers. It also enables static and dynamic typing, so you can choose which one best fits your development goals. Objective-C offers coding flexibility, allowing you to change your variable types as needed to best suit your goals. Objective-C also provides data-hiding features, which make it a great choice to better secure your code and protect against undesired access. 

How to learn Objective-C

To learn Objective-C, you’ll want to find a course that helps you build foundational knowledge and provides opportunities for gaining direct experience writing code. Online courses, such as those offered on Coursera, are an excellent starting point, particularly if you need a flexible schedule or want to learn skills at your own pace. Some companies and universities also offer online bootcamps, which are weeks-long intensives focusing on specific skills and objectives.

Companies using Objective-C

Apple is a well-known company that has used Objective-C to build iOS, iPad, and macOS applications. Companies like Facebook and LinkedIn have also used Objective-C for their iOS apps. 

While you might feel tempted to pick either Objective-C or Swift, several companies, such as Uber and Slack, were actually built with a combination of Objective-C and Swift, though Swift is more often used now for modern development. By learning both languages, you can take advantage of the different programming features while maintaining the ability to work within legacy systems using Objective-C. 

Jobs that use Objective-C

Many jobs that require coding and software development, especially related to app development, benefit from the knowledge of Objective-C. Some of these jobs and the average annual base salary of each, according to February 2026 data from Glassdoor, include the following. 

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of February 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Application developer

Median annual total pay: $140,000 [1]

Requirements: Application developers typically need a bachelor’s degree in software engineering and specific coding-related technical skills.

Application developers design, test, implement, and upgrade apps based on customer needs and goals. In this position, you will often work as a liaison between customers and engineering teams. You will likely have higher-level responsibilities and lead teams through projects from inception to launch. 

iOS developer

Median annual total pay: $139,000 [2]

Requirements: iOS developers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science, but extensive skills in iOS development can sometimes make up for missing formal qualifications. 

iOS developers are similar to application developers but focus exclusively on creating iOS apps. In this role, you will review code to ensure it’s functioning correctly and work with a development team to reach objectives. You will also often troubleshoot problems occurring with daily use and address them accordingly. 

Mobile engineer

Median annual total pay: $146,000 [3]

Requirements: You will typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering for this role. 

Mobile engineers often specialize in one type of operating system, such as iOS. As a mobile engineer, you will design, build, and monitor smartphone, tablet, and mobile device apps. You’ll also write the foundational code for apps and ensure it performs as intended. 

In this role, you can expect to troubleshoot issues and install upgrades as needed to keep apps secure and usable. As a mobile engineer, you will likely work as part of a larger IT team that works on a specific app for a company using iOS apps for its customer base.

Explore resources to take your skills further

Looking to level up your learning? Get insights into in-demand skills and career trends by subscribing to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat. Then, build and refresh your computing skills with these free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Mastering the Code: Essential Skills Every Software Developer Needs 

• Take the quiz: Web Developer Career Quiz: Is It Right for You? Find Your Role 

• Hear from a peer: How One Software Developer’s Leadership Aspirations Led Her to Graduate School 

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses.

订阅 Coursera Plus，培养就业技能

开始为期 7 天的免费试用

• 
• 
• 
• 

开始为期 7 天的免费试用