Swift Playgrounds for macOS (apps.apple.com). That software is written using macOS and iOS APIs, not GNU/Linux ones. Instead we're stuck with old-school overly-OOP abstractions on mobile without any truly compelling alternatives. Apple’s Swift Playgrounds application is now available on Mac. The app was originally released for the iPad in 2016, but now Apple has brought it to the Mac as well using its Catalyst platform.

Apple’s Swift Playgrounds application is now available on Mac. The app was originally released for the iPad in 2016, but now Apple has brought it to the Mac as well using its Catalyst platform.

Apple’s Swift Playgrounds platform makes it easy for anyone to learn the basics of the Swift programming language. Apple touts that Playgrounds requires no previous coding knowledge, with a focus on using code to solve puzzles. This is particularly useful for people who want to learn Swift without diving into Xcode right away.

Swift Playgrounds requires no coding knowledge, so it’s perfect for students just starting out, from twelve to one-hundred-and-twelve. The whole time you are learning Swift, a powerful programming language created by Apple and used by professionals to build many of today’s most popular apps. Code you write works seamlessly as you move between Mac and iPad.

Swift Playgrounds is built around a collection of Apple-created lessons, which aim to guide you through programming using puzzles and an interactive 3D world. Apple touts that Swift Playgrounds allows you to “learn the same powerful Swift programming language used by the pros to create thousands of apps.”

Even though the app is built using the Catalyst platform, which makes it easier for developers to bring iPad apps to the Mac, Apple says this version Swift Playgrounds was designed with the Mac in mind:

• Code suggestions let you write entire programs in just a few clicks of the mouse
• See help along side code suggestions to learn about the available commands
• Click and drag a brace to wrap a block of code inside a loop or conditional statement
• Drag and drop snippets of commonly-used code directly into your playground
• Touch Bar support

You can download Swift Playgrounds on the Mac App Store for free.

this is huge for people who want to learn swift on the Mac but find Xcode too overwhelming https://t.co/ZwkRRj8q4C

— Parker Ortolani (@ParkerOrtolani) February 11, 2020

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Learn serious code. In a seriously fun way.

Swift Playgrounds is a revolutionary app for iPad and Mac that makes learning Swift interactive and fun. It requires no coding knowledge, so it’s perfect for students just starting out. Solve puzzles to master the basics using Swift — a powerful programming language created by Apple and used by the pros to build today’s most popular apps. Then take on a series of challenges and step up to more advanced playgrounds designed by Apple and other leading developers.

Robots and drones await your commands.
Now you can make robots do incredible things with code you write yourself. Learn to programme connected devices like the Sphero SPRK+, LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 and drones by Parrot, and watch them come alive before your eyes.

Real Swift code.
Real simple. Real playful.

Learning to code with Swift Playgrounds is incredibly engaging. The app comes with a complete set of Apple-designed lessons. Play your way through the basics in “Fundamentals of Swift” using real code to guide a character through a 3D world. Then move on to more advanced concepts.

What you see is what you code: Create code on the left side of your screen and instantly see the results on the right — with just a tap.

Conquer levels, puzzles and coding concepts.

Starting with the “Fundamentals of Swift” lesson, you’ll tackle goals using the same code professional developers use every day. As you move along, more advanced concepts come into play. You’ll continually build on what you’ve learnt and create even more complex code.

Fundamentals of Swift.

You’ll start out by learning the important concepts you need to understand code.

• Commands

• Functions

• Loops

• Parameters

• Conditional Code

• Variables

• Operators

• Types

• Initialisation

• Bug Fixing

Master the basics,
then step up to more challenges.

In addition to the built-in library of lessons, Swift Playgrounds includes a collection of extra challenges — with new ones added over time. Go deeper on a topic you’ve already studied or try your hand at something new. You’re not just building fun creations, you’re building your skills too.

Outline app. Outline is a powerful, full featured note-taker for iPad and Mac OS X, perfect for students, teachers, physicians, lawyers, executives and everyone who needs to sketch ideas, organize notes, annotate documents, keep any kind of journals. Outline is an intuitive note-taking application for OS X with convenient structure resembling real paper books: notebooks, sections, groups of sections and pages help to keep order in notes, regardless of their complexity. Outline for Mac is perfect for students, teachers, physicians, lawyers, executives and everyone who's daily life involves extensive note-taking of any kind. In the Font section, click, then select or deselect the Outline checkbox. If you add an outline, use the controls to change its line type, color, and width. Tip: To create an outline effect with no color inside, click the Font Color pop-up menu below Character Styles, then choose No Fill.

A big world of playgrounds from a big community of developers.

Discover dozens of channels with fun new challenges created by leading developers and publishers. Subscribe to your favourites and you’ll receive their latest creations directly in the app. Now there are no bounds to your playgrounds.

A new way to create code.
On the best device for learning.

Easily drag braces around code, wrap existing code in a loop or choose from dozens of drag-and-drop snippets included in Swift Playgrounds — directly from your iPad or Mac. Take full advantage of powerful Multi-Touch, multitasking and split-screen capabilities on iPad. Also, enjoy the view from your Mac. The larger screen makes room for a new sidebar with a complete table of contents and quick access to other Swift files. Just tap, drag or type text and numbers. Then interact with what you’ve created.

QuickType and coding keyboard.

Write an entire line of code with just a tap. With QuickType for code, the Shortcut Bar automatically and intelligently suggests commands as you go. When typing is the best option, iPad has an innovative keyboard designed for coding. Simply touch a key to access multiple characters, then drag to choose the one you want. Experience similar code suggestions on Mac, which comes with even more help to complete your code.

Snippets Library.

Quickly drag commonly used pieces of code from the Snippets Library to minimise typing.

Touch to edit.

Conveniently drag the boundaries of a statement around existing code.

Help is just a tap away.

If you come across a command that’s hard to understand, simply tap it and hold. A menu of options will appear. Choose the most relevant one and get the answer you need.

Jump-start your creativity with Starting Points.

Use what you’ve learnt to create something brand new. With Starting Points, you can get a head start on more advanced coding, add multiple files to your playground at once and use iPad features such as Multi-Touch interactions, accelerometer and gyroscope. Personalise your project by adding graphics, audio and more. Then easily share with friends, family or the world. Students can also share code with classmates when teachers use Starting Points to create lessons.

Explore your creations in full screen.

Immerse yourself by using the vivid Retina displays of iPad or Mac. Simply tap the centre divider, then drag to view your code or live project on the full screen. You can also customise built-in games like Battleship and Brick Breaker, then immerse yourself by letting them take up the whole screen.

See your code crawl, roll or fly through the sky.

Watch your code spring to life by programming real robots, musical instruments and drones. The Accessories channel is filled with engaging playgrounds that let you configure and control popular educational toys like LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3. And that’s just the beginning.

Sphero playgrounds let you guide this spherical robot through tricky courses, accelerate over jumps and change colours.

Dash playgrounds challenge you to make it sing, dance and respond to sensor inputs to react to its environment.

MeeBot playgrounds guide you through coding Jimu Robot Meebot’s six robotic servo motors to make him move in lifelike ways. Or even dance.

Tello EDU playgrounds let you command multiple Tello drones to fly in a swarm, perform flips and other acrobatic movements, and push the limits of your creativity.

Explore robots, drones and many other connected devices that support Swift Playgrounds.