Swift Programming Tutorial: Custom Data Types

Learn how to create custom data types in just a few minutes.

Arc Sosangyo
4 min read5 days ago
Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash

This article is part of my Swift Programming Tutorial series. If you’re just beginning to learn Swift programming, make sure you understand data types first.

We’re diving into the magical world of custom data types in Swift — a land where you get to be the architect of your own data. Custom data types are like inventing your own superhero. You get to decide what powers it has, what it looks like, and how it interacts with the world. Essentially, you’re crafting your own type of data that does exactly what you want it to do, rather than just using Swift’s default types like Int, String, or Double. You’re building a data structure that’s personal, meaningful, and... dare I say, powerful?

Types of Custom Data Types in Swift

In Swift, you can create custom data types mainly using structs, classes, and enums. Let’s do a quick rundown on each one to get a feel for their vibes.

1. Structs: The Swift Workhorse

Think of structs as your reliable, dependable friend who helps you carry the groceries and keeps everything nicely organized. A struct is a blueprint for your data — you define the properties (like…

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Arc Sosangyo

Arc is an iOS Dev and app publisher, a former IT manager who transitioned to iOS engineering, and a big fan of AI, coding, science, history, and philosophy.