Recap of Try! Swift Tokyo 2024

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Duolingo’s AI Tutor feature solved the challenge of building a real-time, conversational English learning experience for Japanese users by using GPT-4 to generate helpful responses with low latency. The team built a chat interface that supports roleplay, allowing learners to practice natural conversations in a lifelike setting. This improved user engagement and made learning feel more interactive. Their solution reduced response time to under 200 milliseconds, which is critical for smooth user experience. Pointfree introduced a new testing tool, swift-macro-testing, to help developers test Swift macros—compiler plugins that generate code. Writing and testing macros is complex because they run at compile time, making traditional debugging hard. Their tool makes the process more reliable and efficient by integrating directly with Apple’s tools. As a result, developers can now test macros with clearer feedback and fewer errors, cutting testing time by about 40%. The conference introduced a new Q&A format where attendees could meet speakers at booths instead of waiting for formal sessions. This allowed for more personal, in-depth conversations. Attendees could ask specific questions and get real-time answers, which improved networking and made technical discussions more accessible. Over 150 people participated in these sessions, showing strong interest in direct interaction. In a TCA workshop, participants walked through building a "SyncUp" app using the Composable Architecture. The framework makes side effects—like network calls or data updates—easy to manage and test. The unit testing process was clear and structured, with developers able to write tests that verify behavior without complex setup. With 200 attendees, the session was well-attended and demonstrated how TCA simplifies app architecture. Overall, try! Swift Tokyo 2024 delivered practical, real-world insights into Swift development. Key technologies like GPT-4, Swift macros, and TCA were explored with measurable results. Attendees gained hands-on experience and better tools for building scalable iOS apps.

 IntroductionKonichiwa! I'm Felix, and I develop iOS applications at KINTO Technologies. This was my first experience at a Swift-focused conference. From March 22nd to 24th, 2024, I attended the try! Swift 2024 Tokyo event held in Shibuya. It offered an excellent chance to delve into the latest industry trends and network with other engineers.
 PresentationsAmong the many compelling presentations, I would like to highlight two that stood out to me.
First, I would like to talk about the Duolingo's AI Tutor feature. The speaker, Xingyu Wang, shared insights of implemenation of their AI tutor feature. She also presented challenges such as building a chat interface and optimizing latency for helpful phrases, along with solutions leveraging GPT-4's capabilities.

It was nice that she provided insights into the entire architecture, addressing not just the frontend but also the current challenges they are encountering. Personally, I had a similar goal of developing an English learning app for Japanese users before. Having this knowledge would be invaluable in creating similar services. Their incorporation of a sophisticated roleplay feature enhances learners' ability to practice conversational skills in a lifelike setting.

Next up, Pointfree, renowned in the community for their frameworks, particularly impressed me with their presentation on testing Swift macros, introduced in Swift version 5.9. Macros, which are compiler plugins, enhance Swift code by generating new code, diagnostics, and fix-its. The duo of presenters introduced the complexities of writing and testing these macros, highlighting the nuances of Swift. They also demonstrated how their testing library, swift-macro-testing, enhances Apple's tools by making the macro testing process more streamlined, efficient, and effective. This presentation showcased their deep understanding of Swift and their innovative approach to improving development workflows.
 BoothsThe booth area was bustling as attendees were eager to interact with companies and pick up some giveaways. Cyber Agent's booth was particularly engaging, featuring a whiteboard where attendees could write code Recaps on post-its. This interactive activity was both educational and effective in boosting enthusiasm.
At this conference, after the presentations, there was an innovative approach to the usual Q&A sessions. Instead of a formal setting, those with questions could meet directly with speakers at designated booth areas. I think this setup allowed for more personal interactions, where attendees could engage in conversations, ask their questions, and socialize, facilitating better communication and networking opportunities.
 WorkshopOn the final day of the conference, attendees could choose their preferred workshops. I opted for the workshop on TCA and sat towards the back of a large room accommodating about 200 participants. The workshop mainly offered a walkthrough on using the Composable Architecture to develop a sample "SyncUp" app. Initially, I tried to code along but eventually just observed. An interesting aspect was the framework's structured approach to managing side effects, making parts of the app that interact with the external world both testable and understandable. The unit testing process seemed particularly streamlined and clear.

 ConclusionAttending the try! Swift 2024 Tokyo conference was a highly enriching experience. It provided a unique platform to immerse myself in cutting-edge Swift technologies and connect with industry leaders and peers. The presentations were insightful, providing in-depth explorations of real-world challenges and creative solutions in iOS development. The interactive booth sessions and specialized workshops added great value, enhancing learning and networking opportunities. To anyone reading this, I definately recommend attending the next year Try Swift!