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Quick summary of this article
This module teaches you how to install and run Swift on a Windows computer without needing a Mac or Xcode. Swift is a modern, fast, and safe programming language from Apple used for building apps and server software. You will learn to set up Swift, run code interactively, create scripts, and compile programs into executable files.
- Download the Swift installer from swift.org, extract it to a folder like
C:Swift, and addC:Swiftbinto your system PATH variable. - Verify installation by running
swift --versionin your terminal; you should see version 5.9.2 for Windows. - Use the Swift REPL by typing
swiftto run interactive code, or create a.swiftfile and run it withswift filename.swift. - Compile your Swift script into a standalone executable using
swiftc hello.swift -o hello.exe, then run it with./hello.exe. - If you get errors, ensure Swift is in your PATH, install Visual C++ Redistributable for missing DLLs, and try using CMD or VS Code terminal if REPL won't launch.
In this module, you’ll learn how to set up Swift on a Windows machine and run your first Swift program without needing a Mac or Xcode. It includes a detailed guide, example codes, and practical exercises to ensure you’re ready to start coding in Swift confidently.
🔍 What is Swift?
Swift is a modern, powerful, and open-source programming language developed by Apple. It is used to build iOS, macOS, and even server-side applications. Swift is designed to be safe, fast, and expressive.
- Modern syntax and readability
- Type safety and error handling
- Cross-platform support (Linux, Windows)
- Blazing fast like C-based languages
🖥️ Installing Swift on Windows
- Go to
https://swift.org/download - Scroll to Windows 64-bit section
- Download the latest ZIP file (e.g.,
swift-5.9.2-RELEASE-windows10.exe) - Extract to a directory like
C:\Swift
⚙️ Add Swift to PATH (Environment Variable)
- Search for “Environment Variables” in Windows
- Click “Edit the system environment variables”
- Under “System Variables”, select
Pathand click Edit - Add new path:
C:\Swift\bin
Restart your terminal and check with:
swift --versionExpected output:
Swift version 5.9.2 (swift-5.9.2-RELEASE) Target: x86_64-unknown-windows-msvc🧪 Run Swift in CLI (REPL)
swiftTry typing this inside REPL:
// Interactive print("Hello from Swift REPL!")✍️ Create Your First Swift Script
Create a file hello.swift with this content:
// hello.swift print("Hello, Swift on Windows!")Run it using:
swift hello.swiftOutput:
Hello, Swift on Windows!🧑💻 Compile Swift to EXE
swiftc hello.swift -o hello.exe ./hello.exe🧩 Common Errors & Fixes
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| swift not recognized | Ensure Swift’s bin folder is in PATH |
| Missing DLLs | Install Visual C++ Redistributable |
| REPL not launching | Try CMD or VS Code terminal |
✅ Exercises
- Create a
greet.swiftfile that prints your name. - Run Swift REPL and try
2 + 5 * 10 - Test variables:
let name = "Alice" print("Hi, \(name)") - Compile it using
swiftc
🎯 Summary
You now know how to install Swift on Windows, run scripts, use the REPL, and compile programs. You’re officially ready to start learning Swift in depth. Next, we’ll explore variables, constants, and Swift’s data types in Module 2.