Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Factor VS Swift Playgrounds

Compare Factor VS Swift Playgrounds and see what are their differences

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Factor logo Factor

Factor programming language

Swift Playgrounds logo Swift Playgrounds

Learn serious code on your iPad in a seriously fun way
  • Factor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-04
  • Swift Playgrounds Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-24

Factor features and specs

  • Concatenative Syntax
    Factor uses a stack-based, concatenative syntax which promotes a unique way of thinking about program structure, allowing for concise and modular code.
  • Interactive Development
    Factor supports interactive development with a powerful REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop), making it easier to test and debug code in real-time.
  • Cross-Platform
    The language is designed to be cross-platform, running on major operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing versatility for developers.
  • Extensive Standard Library
    Factor comes with a comprehensive standard library that covers various domains, reducing the need to rely on external libraries for common tasks.
  • Rich Development Environment
    It includes a modern, integrated development environment (IDE) that provides features like syntax highlighting, debugging tools, and project management facilities.

Possible disadvantages of Factor

  • Limited Adoption
    Factor has a smaller community compared to more mainstream languages, resulting in less online resources, tutorials, and community support.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The concatenative programming paradigm can be challenging to learn, especially for those accustomed to more traditional, imperative programming languages.
  • Performance Considerations
    While Factor is designed to be efficient, it may not perform as well as highly optimized languages like C++ in computationally intensive scenarios.
  • Niche Use Cases
    Factor is best suited for enthusiasts and specific problem domains, which can limit its applicability in mainstream industry projects.
  • Dependency on Stack Manipulation
    Because Factor is stack-based, managing the stack effectively can be complex and error-prone for developers new to this style of programming.

Swift Playgrounds features and specs

  • Engaging Interface
    Swift Playgrounds offers a visually appealing and interactive user interface that makes learning to code enjoyable and engaging for beginners, especially younger audiences.
  • iPad and Mac Support
    It is available on both iPad and Mac, providing flexibility for learners to practice coding on different Apple devices.
  • Interactive Learning
    The platform provides hands-on exercises and real-time feedback, which helps learners understand coding concepts through practical implementation.
  • Comprehensive Curriculum
    Swift Playgrounds includes a well-structured curriculum that covers basic to advanced Swift programming concepts, making it suitable for a wide range of learners.
  • Swift Language Focus
    The tool is dedicated to teaching Swift, Apple's powerful and intuitive programming language, which is widely used for developing iOS and macOS applications.
  • Free to Use
    Swift Playgrounds is available for free, which removes any financial barriers to entry for those interested in learning to code.

Possible disadvantages of Swift Playgrounds

  • Apple Ecosystem
    Swift Playgrounds is limited to Apple's ecosystem, requiring an iPad or Mac, which can exclude users who prefer or only have access to other platforms.
  • Swift Exclusivity
    The focus on Swift can be a limitation for learners who wish to explore other programming languages or need a more versatile coding education.
  • Limited Professional Depth
    While great for beginners, Swift Playgrounds may lack the depth and advanced features that more experienced developers or those seeking to build professional-grade applications might require.
  • Peripheral Requirements
    Some advanced projects might require additional peripherals and resources, such as access to hardware features or external libraries, which may not be readily available.

Analysis of Swift Playgrounds

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Swift Playgrounds is a good platform, especially for certain audiences.

Why this product is good

  • Swift Playgrounds provides an interactive and engaging way to learn Swift programming. It offers a hands-on approach through coding exercises and challenges, which can help reinforce understanding and foster a deeper grasp of programming concepts. Additionally, it is designed with an educational focus, making it accessible for younger audiences and beginners. The clean interface and integration with Apple’s ecosystem add to its appeal, providing a seamless experience for users familiar with Apple products.

Recommended for

  • Beginners looking to learn programming
  • Educators seeking tools for teaching coding
  • Young learners interested in technology
  • Anyone who enjoys gamified learning experiences
  • Swift developers wanting to practice skills in a playful setting

Factor videos

Factor_ Review | HONEST Pros & Cons of this low carb meal delivery service

More videos:

  • Review - Factor_ | A Real Review from a Real Customer | 2021
  • Review - Factor 75 Review: How Good Are These Healthy Pre-Made Meals?

Swift Playgrounds videos

Swift Playgrounds for Mac is Here!

More videos:

  • Review - Getting started with Swift Playgrounds
  • Review - Programming toys with Apple's Swift Playgrounds | First Look

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Factor and Swift Playgrounds)
ERP
100 100%
0% 0
Text Editors
0 0%
100% 100
Forestry And Lumber Industry Vertical
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Factor and Swift Playgrounds

Factor Reviews

We have no reviews of Factor yet.
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Swift Playgrounds Reviews

  1. Terrible online training course

    The lowest available rating score is 1, but if there were a zero, I would rate this program a zero. There are no pros to this programming course. The lessons are so brief that I cannot understand them. Before I gave up for good on this programming course, I was writing tons of messages to people on Youtube asking them to explain things to me, and I hated the constant hassle of having to write online messages asking for explanations for the simplest of things that the lessons did not explain. This programming course is NOT a do-it-yourself training course by any means --- and it should not be used by schoolteachers as student homework assignments, as I recently advised a 13-year-old who was having trouble with the lessons and nothing was being helpful to him. This training course should be accompanied not by brief and intelligible on-screen lessons, but it should be accompanied by a detailed high school-style textbook complete with images. By the way, I have Asperger's syndrome, I have all kinds of problems with learning and with executing tasks, and I cannot participate in gainful employment in ANY profession for this reason.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Factor seems to be a lot more popular than Swift Playgrounds. While we know about 40 links to Factor, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Swift Playgrounds. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Factor mentions (40)

  • My history with Forth and stack machines (2010)
    Adjacent rather than a Forth, but take a look at Factor. https://factorcode.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • The FORTH code for Chipwits is released in the game's 40th anniversary
    Factor addresses some of these concerns and instead of giving you a bare metal REPL you get a Smalltalk-like image: https://factorcode.org/ It's rather neat. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • As you learn Forth, it learns from you (1981)
    Forth has integers and that's about it. You can have words that interpret the integers and e.g. Show you characters instead, but it's usually just a thin cover over the numbers. The JVM is stack-based and static typing rather common in the languages that runs on it. Factor has dynamic typing, though I haven't thought much about that, it kind of stays in the background. It's more a tool for problem solving than a... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • My history with Forth, and stack machines
    My impression so far is (in general), Forth are practically limited to doing embedded/microcontroller development. For us, web/mobile/desktop app devs, beside: - 8th (https://8th-dev.com) - Factor (https://factorcode.org) Any suggestion which implementation we should look for? - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Pharo 11, the pure object-oriented language and environment is released!
    Factor is also very much worth a look. Forth-style syntax, but with many of the ideas from CL and Smalltalk as well. In fact as a CL fan, I was very impressed by it. It's also quite "batteries included" a la Python. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

Swift Playgrounds mentions (2)

  • Ask HN: I'm a rookie building an app and need advice. Can you help?
    > I’m using AI to assist me and I’m building an app Vibe coding is a myth, it will take you only so far and will require manual fixes and refactoring before MVP. Learn the basics of and keep learning, say, Swift. https://developer.apple.com/swift-playground/ > Should I actually use a completely blank iPhone for this instead? Does not make any difference. Every app runs in its own separate environment. Only iOS... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • 🚀 iOS vs Android Development: Which One Should You Learn First? (The Truth No One Tells You!)
    💡 Want to see real-world examples? Check out Apple's Swift Playground: Swift Playground. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago

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