All posts by tjb.abean

Learning something new is always a unique adventure—especially when it blends curiosity, technology, and the occasional family chaos. As a self-proclaimed “prodigal developer” (meaning I am returning to my roots of software development after nearly 30 years in IT Support), I am thrilled to launch this series, inviting you to join me as I journey through the 100 Days of Swift by Paul Hudson. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to learn Swift (or teach yourself a programming language while juggling family life), you’re in the right place!

Let’s dive into why Swift, how to start, and my hands-on experience with the foundational first three topics—complete with wins, frustrations, and a few family-inspired code experiments.

Why Choose Swift? Why Now?

Swift is more than just Apple’s go-to language for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS apps; it’s a gateway to building vibrant, safe, and high-performance software. Whether you’re a coding newbie, a Python veteran, an engineer looking to expand your toolkit, or a prodigal such as myself, Swift has plenty to offer:

• Modern and Intuitive Syntax: Clean, concise, and beginner-friendly. You won’t get lost in cryptic symbols or boilerplate.
• Strong Safety Features: Type inference and strict error checking mean fewer mysterious bugs and accidental crashes.
• Thriving Community & Resources: With projects like Paul Hudson’s—completely free—finding help or camaraderie is easier than ever.

So, why now? Personally, I’ve always believed in learning alongside my kids: they pick up new skills with fearless curiosity. Each of my kids has reached the age (and well beyond for some) where curiosity is starting to drive their interests and activities. Why not channel that spirit and grow together—especially in a tech-driven world?

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Day 1: Variables and Data Types—Simple, But Not Simplistic

Stepping into the 100 Days of Swift, you’re greeted with the building blocks: variables (var), constants (let), and core data types (like Int, Double, String, and Bool). At first blush, these concepts feel refreshingly accessible—even my oldest wanted to try picking favorite variables for a virtual family “bean jar.”

Example:

let numberOfKids = 8
var favoriteBean = "David" // This gets debated. Often.

Swift’s type system guides you gently but firmly. Try mixing types or changing a constant, and the compiler will nudge you with clear error messages. For families prone to kitchen debates, think of Swift’s type safety as a fair (if opinionated) referee.

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Day 2: Operators—Where the Fun (and Family Logic) Begins

Operators are the backbone of telling Swift what to do: math, comparisons, logic, and more. From +, -, *, and / to ==, !=, and logical operators like && and ||, Swift encourages play and experimentation.

One family-inspired breakthrough: translating sibling negotiations into code! For example, deciding bedtime routines can be summed up with logic like:

let homeworkDone = true
let toysPickedUp = false

let dessertTime = homeworkDone && toysPickedUp // Trust me...in my house, this will be false!

Early on, I ran into small but enlightening challenges—like operator precedence and ensuring types match. Swift’s error hints proved invaluable, often helping me spot mistakes before running the program. My advice: embrace the compiler’s feedback. It’s like having a second pair of eyes (without the judgment).

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Day 3: String Interpolation—Making Output Engaging

Swift’s string interpolation ("Hello, \(name)!") turns output into something dynamic and expressive—perfect for personal, real-time interactions. Compared to languages where string formatting feels like deciphering ancient scrolls, Swift shines in readability.

Example:

let childName = "Elizabeth"
let score = 98
print("Congratulations, \(childName)! You scored \(score) on the coding quiz!")

With a house full of kids, string interpolation quickly became a family favorite—letting us code up joke generators or custom reminders (“Don’t forget your lunch, (name)!”). It’s a simple feature, yet it sparks creative ideas for both projects and playful learning.

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Roadblocks & Remedies: Lessons from the Trenches

No journey is without speed bumps. Here are a few lessons learned—and how to handle them:

• Type Errors: Accidentally mixing data types (such as adding an Int to a String) will cause Swift to raise a flag. The fix? Take a breath, retrace your steps, and let the error message guide your debugging.
• Playgrounds Quirks: Swift Playgrounds sometimes hides error outputs. I found that running code more gradually, and adding print statements, helped narrow down problems.
• Pacing Yourself: The urge to race ahead is real (especially when siblings egg you on). Remember: understanding trumps speed, and revisiting lessons cement knowledge for the next challenge.

Pro Tip: Lean into the Hacking with Swift resources if you get stuck. The community is supportive, and chances are someone else hit the same bump before you!

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Family & Code: Inviting Everyone to the Table

One delightful surprise: involving family in the learning process changes the dynamic. Explaining variables using real names, turning chores into logic puzzles, and letting kids interact with code demystifies programming and fosters curiosity.

If you’re learning with others—kids, friends, curious coworkers—share your screen, swap stories about bugs, and celebrate every small victory. It’s more than “just coding;” it’s growing together.

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Conclusion: Foundations Built, Curiosity Ignited

In three days, I’ve learned that Swift’s basics aren’t just entry-level—they’re a springboard for creative, real-world solutions. The language’s combination of readability, safety, and playful features like interpolation makes it approachable for families and engineers alike.

This is only the start of my 100-day coding journey. If the first steps taught me anything, it’s that programming can—should—be inclusive, encouraging, and even a little bit fun (with the right amount of sibling rivalry).

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Join the Journey—Your Turn!

What about you? Have you tackled the 100 Days of Swift or recently picked up a new language?

• Share your first “aha!” moment—or your biggest coding headache—in the comments below!
• Curious what comes next? Stay tuned to TechnoJock for the rest of this series and more articles about technology trends and software development (from a prodigal’s perspective).
• If you’ve got tips, tales, or Swift resources, let’s connect! Drop your favorite link, anecdote, or question in the comments—let’s learn and laugh together.

Happy coding!