Swift: how to avoid rewriting this init() in all inheriting classes? - swift

I have this class and protocol in a framework:
public protocol P {}
open class C {
public init(_ p: P.Type) {
//super.init() etc
}
}
And in the project using this framework:
enum E: P {
// cases...
}
The thing that bugs me is that for every class that inherits C, I need to define the same init() like this:
final class C1: C {
init() {
super.init(E.self)
}
}
final class C2: C {
init() {
super.init(E.self)
}
}
// etc...
Is there a way for me to declare this default init in my project, like using an extension this way:
extension C {
// Declare the init(E.self) here somehow?
}
This way, I would simply call C1(), C2() etc without defining it in the subclass.
Thanks for your help.

You could create a protocol that contains the init, extend the protocol and provide a default implementation, and assign the protocol to C.
public protocol P {}
enum E: P {
}
protocol A {
init(_ p: P.Type)
}
extension A {
init(_ p: P.Type) {
// Add a default implementation
self.init(E.self)
}
}
class C: A {
// If you want to override, note you need to add `required`
required init(_ p: P.Type) {
}
}
class C1: C {
// No need to init here
}
Or if you don't want another protocol, you will need a new class that implements the init and subclass C and have your C1 and C2 inherit this new class.
Its what is usually done when people create BaseUIViewController and make their UIViewControllers subclasses of this:
public protocol P {}
enum E: P {
}
class C {
init(_ p: P.Type) {
}
}
class CBase: C {
// Override and provide default implementation
override init(_ p: P.Type) {
super.init(E.self)
}
}
class C1: CBase {
// No need to init here
}
class C2: CBase {
// No need to init here
}

Declare a convenience initialiser
extension C
{
public convenience init()
{
self.init(E.self)
}
}
let c1 = C1()
let c2 = C2()
Or you can put the convenience initialiser in the main definition of C.

Related

How can i pass class as a parameter to a function in Swift?

Let us consider i have two different classes.
class A {
var something = "Hello"
}
class B {
var something = "World"
}
Now
class C {
func request() {
//Call with class A or B it can contain any class. I can call either class A or B depending on condition
update(myClass: A or B)
}
func update(myClass:A or B ) {
print(myClass.something) //Since both class have same varaible var something so this code should work either i pass class A or B through function
}
}
Plz help me achieve this using Swift
You cannot declare a function in Swift that could accept an input argument of several different types, so you cannot declare a type as A or B. However, you don't actually need this to solve your specific problem.
Since you want to access a common property of the two class instances, you should declare that property in a protocol, make both classes conform to that protocol, then make the function take an input argument of the protocol type.
protocol SomethingProtocol {
var something: String { get }
}
class A: SomethingProtocol {
let something = "Hello"
}
class B: SomethingProtocol {
let something = "World"
}
class C {
func request() {
//Call with class A or B it can contain any class. I can call either class A or B depending on condition
update(something: A())
update(something: B())
}
func update(something: SomethingProtocol) {
print(something.something) //Since both class have same varaible var something so this code should work either i pass class A or B through function
}
}
Use a protocol
protocol MyProtocol: class {
var something: String { get set }
}
class A: MyProtocol {
var something = "Hello"
}
class B: MyProtocol {
var something = "world"
}
class C {
func update(myClass:MyProtocol ) {
print(myClass.something) //Since both class have same varaible var something so this code should work either i pass class A or B through function
}
}
usage:
let a = A()
let b = B()
let c = C()
print(c.update(myClass: a))
print(c.update(myClass: b))
Output:
hello
world
Create a protocol that both A and B conforms to and use it as the parameter type in update()
protocol SomeProtocol {
var something: String {get set}
}
func update(_ o: SomeProtocol) {
print(o.something)
}
Let it be known that I think using a protocol is the cleanest option that will best solve your problem.
However, it is possible to use Any to pass any object as a parameter, this will require checking which class you are dealing with inside your update method.
Something like this...
class C {
func update(myClass: Any) {
if let a = myClass as? A {
print(a.something)
}
if let b = myClass as? B {
print(b.something)
}
}
}
This might be neater as a switch - ref
class C {
func update(myClass: Any) {
switch myClass {
case let a as A:
print(a.something)
case let b as B:
print(b.something)
default:
print("not a thing")
}
}
}

How to make sure that all classes derived from NSManagedObject have a specific property? [duplicate]

I want to declare in a protocol a class func, I intend to conform to this protocol from a class A, B and C.
B and C inherit from A.
Essentially I want to override this func in B and C while still providing an implementation in A.
So, I had to declare my protocol as follows:
protocol MyManagedObjectCoolStuff {
static func entityName() -> String
}
And then I have this in A:
class A: NSManagedObject { }
class B: A { }
class C: A { }
extension A: MyManagedObjectCoolStuff {
static func entityName() -> String {
return "Animal"
}
}
extension B: MyManagedObjectCoolStuff {
override static func entityName() -> String {
return "Bat"
}
}
extension C: MyManagedObjectCoolStuff {
override static func entityName() -> String {
return "Cat"
}
}
The problem here, is clear and Xcode confirms: "Class method overrides a 'final' class method".
How can I work around this? I cannot use class func in the protocol... I'm not sure how to abstract this.
Thanks!
In a class definition, static is an alias for class final,
so it marks a type method (or property) which cannot be overridden
in subclasses.
Since you want to override the method in subclasses,
all you have to do is to define the method as class instead of static:
extension A: MyManagedObjectCoolStuff {
class func entityName() -> String {
return "Animal"
}
}
extension B: MyManagedObjectCoolStuff {
override class func entityName() -> String {
return "Bat"
}
}
extension C: MyManagedObjectCoolStuff {
override class func entityName() -> String {
return "Cat"
}
}
Alternatively one could use the fact that for a Core Data entity,
the class name is usually defined as <ModuleName>.<EntityName>
so that the entity name is the last component of the class name.
So you could define entityName() as an
extension method of NSManagedObject (the superclass of all Core Data
object classes) as in How can I create instances of managed object subclasses in a NSManagedObject Swift extension?:
extension NSManagedObject {
class func entityName() -> String {
let classString = NSStringFromClass(self)
// The entity is the last component of dot-separated class name:
let components = split(classString) { $0 == "." }
return components.last ?? classString
}
}
and override it only where necessary:
class A: NSManagedObject { }
class B: A { }
class C: A { }
extension C {
override class func entityName() -> String {
return "Cat"
}
}
println(A.entityName()) // A
println(B.entityName()) // B
println(C.entityName()) // Cat

Extend existing protocols to implement another protocol with default implements

Is it possible to add protocol compliance to a different protocol by way of an extension?
For instance we would like A to comply with B:
protocol A {
var a : UIView {get}
}
protocol B {
var b : UIView {get}
}
I want to give a default implementation (compliance) of B to objects of type A
// This isn't possible
extension A : B {
var b : UIView {
return self.a
}
}
The motivation being to reuse objects of A in cases where a B is required without creating my own "bridge"
class MyClass {
func myFunc(object : A) {
...
...
let view = object.a
... do something with view ...
myFunc(object) // would like to use an 'A' without creating a 'B'
}
func myFunc2(object : B) {
...
...
let view = object.b
... do something with view ...
}
}
As a side note we can extend a class to implement a protocol
class C {
let C : UIView
}
// this will work
extension C : B {
var B : UIView {
return self.c
}
}
and protocols can give default implementations
extension A {
// a default implementation
var a : UIView {
return UIView()
}
}
When extending A, you could specify that the type also conforms to B:
extension A where Self: B {
var b : UIView {
return self.a
}
}
Then make your type conform to A and B, e.g.
struct MyStruct : A, B {
var a : UIView {
return UIView()
}
}
Due to the protocol extension, instances of MyStruct will be able to use a and b, even though only a was implemented in MyStruct:
let obj = MyStruct()
obj.a
obj.b
You can make A inherits from B:
protocol A: B { var a: String { get } }
protocol B { var b: String { get } }
// Default implementation of property b
extension A {
var b: String { get { return "PropertyB" } }
}
class MyClass: A {
var a: String { get { return "PropertyA" } }
func printA(obj: A) {
print(obj.a)
printB(obj)
}
func printB(obj: B) {
print(obj.b)
}
}
let obj = MyClass()
obj.printA(obj)
Since A inherits from B, every property in B is available in A.

swift how to define abstract class and why apple invent associated type but not use generic protocol

I am a swift beginner. Something puzzled me when learning. Now I want to define an abstract class or define some pure virtual method, but I cannot find a way to do it. I have a protocol with associated type(this also puzzled me, why not use generic protocol), and some methods need to be implemented in a base class, and other classes inherited from the base class, they should implement other methods in the protocol, how can I do?
for instance:
Protocol P{
typealias TypeParam
func A()
func B()
}
class BaseClass<TypeParam> : P {
abstract func A()
func B(){
if someCondition {
A()
}
}
}
class ChildClass : BaseClass<Int> {
func A(){}
}
It seems very strange, and I still cannot find a method to resolve the abstract problem.
Swift has something similar: protocol extensions
They can define default implementations so you don't have to declare the method in your base class but it also doesn't force to do that in any class, struct or enum.
protocol P {
associatedtype TypeParameter
func A()
func B()
}
extension P {
func A(){}
}
class BaseClass<TypeParam> : P {
typealias TypeParameter = TypeParam
func B(){
if someCondition {
A()
}
}
}
class ChildClass : BaseClass<Int> {
// implementation of A() is not forced since it has a default implementation
func A(){}
}
Another approach would be to use a protocol instead of BaseClass which is more in line with protocol oriented programming:
protocol Base {
associatedtype TypeParameter
func A()
func B()
}
extension Base {
func B(){
if someCondition {
A()
}
}
}
class ChildClass : Base {
typealias TypeParameter = Int
// implementation of A() is forced but B() is not forced
func A(){}
}
However one of the big disadvantages would be that a variable of protocol type can only be used in generic code (as generic constraint):
var base: Base = ChildClass() // DISALLOWED in every scope
As a workaround for this limitation you can make a wrapper type:
// wrapper type
struct AnyBase<T>: Base {
typealias TypeParameter = T
let a: () -> ()
let b: () -> ()
init<B: Base>(_ base: B) where B.TypeParameter == T {
// methods are passed by reference and could lead to reference cycles
// below is a more sophisticated way to solve also this problem
a = base.A
b = base.B
}
func A() { a() }
func B() { b() }
}
// using the wrapper:
var base = AnyBase(ChildClass()) // is of type AnyBase<Int>
Regarding the use of "true" generic protocols, the Swift team has chosen to use associatedtype because you can use many generic types without having to write all out in brackets <>.
For example Collection where you have an associated Iterator and Index type. This allows you to have specific iterators (e.g. for Dictionary and Array).
In general, generic/associated types are good for code optimization during compilation but at the same time being sometimes too static where you would have to use a generic wrapper type.
A useful link to some patterns for working with associated types.
(See also above)
A more sophisticated way to solve the problem of passing the methods by reference.
// same as `Base` but without any associated types
protocol _Base {
func A()
func B()
}
// used to store the concrete type
// or if possible let `Base` inherit from `_Base`
// (Note: `extension Base: _Base {}` is currently not possible)
struct BaseBox<B: Base>: _Base {
var base: B
init(_ b: B) { base = b}
func A() { base.A() }
func B() { base.B() }
}
struct AnyBase2<T>: Base {
typealias TypeParameter = T
var base: _Base
init<B: Base>(_ base: B) where B.TypeParameter == T {
self.base = BaseBox(base)
}
func A() { base.A() }
func B() { base.B() }
}
// using the wrapper:
var base2 = AnyBase2(ChildClass()) // is of type AnyBase2<Int>

Why can't Swift initializers call convenience initializers on their superclass?

Consider the two classes:
class A {
var x: Int
init(x: Int) {
self.x = x
}
convenience init() {
self.init(x: 0)
}
}
class B: A {
init() {
super.init() // Error: Must call a designated initializer of the superclass 'A'
}
}
I don't see why this isn't allowed. Ultimately, each class's designated initializer is called with any values they need, so why do I need to repeat myself in B's init by specifying a default value for x again, when the convenience init in A will do just fine?
This is Rule 1 of the "Initializer Chaining" rules as specified in the Swift Programming Guide, which reads:
Rule 1: Designated initializers must call a designated initializer from their
immediate superclass.
https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/Swift/Conceptual/Swift_Programming_Language/Initialization.html
Emphasis mine. Designated initializers cannot call convenience initializers.
There is a diagram that goes along with the rules to demonstrate what initializer "directions" are allowed:
Consider
class A
{
var a: Int
var b: Int
init (a: Int, b: Int) {
print("Entering A.init(a,b)")
self.a = a; self.b = b
}
convenience init(a: Int) {
print("Entering A.init(a)")
self.init(a: a, b: 0)
}
convenience init() {
print("Entering A.init()")
self.init(a:0)
}
}
class B : A
{
var c: Int
override init(a: Int, b: Int)
{
print("Entering B.init(a,b)")
self.c = 0; super.init(a: a, b: b)
}
}
var b = B()
Because all designated initializers of class A are overridden, class B will inherit all convenience initializers of A. So executing this will output
Entering A.init()
Entering A.init(a:)
Entering B.init(a:,b:)
Entering A.init(a:,b:)
Now, if the designated initializer B.init(a:b:) would be allowed to call the base class convenience initializer A.init(a:), this would result in a recursive call to B.init(a:,b:).
It's because you can end up with an infinite recursion. Consider:
class SuperClass {
init() {
}
convenience init(value: Int) {
// calls init() of the current class
// so init() for SubClass if the instance
// is a SubClass
self.init()
}
}
class SubClass : SuperClass {
override init() {
super.init(value: 10)
}
}
and look at:
let a = SubClass()
which will call SubClass.init() which will call SuperClass.init(value:) which will call SubClass.init().
The designated/convenience init rules are designed that a class initialisation will always be correct.
I found a work around for this. It's not super pretty, but it solves the problem of not knowing a superclass's values or wanting to set default values.
All you have to do is create an instance of the superclass, using the convenience init, right in the init of the subclass. Then you call the designated init of the super using the instance you just created.
class A {
var x: Int
init(x: Int) {
self.x = x
}
convenience init() {
self.init(x: 0)
}
}
class B: A {
init() {
// calls A's convenience init, gets instance of A with default x value
let intermediate = A()
super.init(x: intermediate.x)
}
}
Consider extracting the initialization code from your convenient init() to a new helper function foo(), call foo(...) to do the initialization in your sub-class.
Look at the WWDC-video "403 intermediate Swift" at 18:30 for an in depth explanation of initializers and their inheritance. As I understood it, consider the following:
class Dragon {
var legs: Int
var isFlying: Bool
init(legs: Int, isFlying: Bool) {
self.legs = legs
self.isFlying = isFlying
}
convenience initWyvern() {
self.init(legs: 2, isFlying: true)
}
}
But now consider a Wyrm-subclass:
A Wyrm is a Dragon with no legs and no wings. So the Initializer for a Wyvern (2 legs, 2 wings) is wrong for it! That error can be avoided if the convenience Wyvern-Initializer simply can't be called but only the full designated Initializer:
class Wyrm: Dragon {
init() {
super.init(legs: 0, isFlying: false)
}
}
Why don't you just have two initializers - one with a default value?
class A {
var x: Int
init(x: Int) {
self.x = x
}
init() {
self.x = 0
}
}
class B: A {
override init() {
super.init()
// Do something else
}
}
let s = B()
s.x // 0