I have an existing iPhone application, and I just wanted to make a static library out of the code, so that I can use it by a separate test application (within the workspace). The application compiles fine, but when I try to compile the library version (which has the same code files) I get the following error:
Lexical or Preprocessor Issue - "MyClass.h" file not found
However, the application still runs, even through there is this error. In fact when I compile the application (which uses the static library) it initially says no errors, and then after a second or two the above mention error then appears.
I'm basically doing:
Create a new target in the project using the Coco Touch Static Library
Add the .m files in the targets "Compile Sources"
Adding the .h files in the targets "Copy Headers"
Adding the same set of libraries in the "Link binaries with libraries"
Go into the Profile and modified the Target to be RELEASE
Any suggestions? Am I missing a step here?
I'll have a stab at this :-) I think it might be that MyClass.h has been set to private. Thus it is not added to header directory when you create the static library. You should check to see if this is so by checking the output header directory. If the header file is missing, then it's pretty sure thats whats going on.
Secondly, why use a seperate app for testing and therefore require building a static library at all? I have several static libraries and apps which I unit test with GHUnit. I do it by simply adding a new app target and configuring it to run the GHUnit iOS app. I can then add the classes I want to test and any testing frameworks such as OCMock without having to create separate projects. Basically it sounds like your testing methodolody is perhaps more complex than necessary. :-)
So, the issue turned out to be I had "-ObjC" set in the "Other Link Flags" option, which I'd put there as at one stage trying to get things working I read this was required - Dereks advice to review the compilation log worked well here
Related
I am developing a Swift iOS app with watch and widget extension.
So far I had a Shared folder where files were checked for all targets that needed them. This works, but I noticed that these files then get compiled for each target.
I would prefer to have the shared core of the app to be built once, and then used as dependency for each of the targets, saving up the compilation time.
What is the good practice for sharing code and assets between app targets?
So far I looked into static library and framework. I ruled out the static library, as I would also like to share assets in addition to code, so that means that I should just create a new framework, and move files in there?
I tried this way, added a framework as dependency to all targets, but it doesn't seem that the framework gets rebuild when a code inside it changes, am I doing it right? Thanks!
Frameworks seems to be the right path, the problems I had with getting it built were all caused by this:
I'm not sure why this happens, but one way to solve your issue is to go into your build settings and defining the Framework Search Paths to a folder which contains the frameworks in question. If the frameworks are placed in your project directory, simply set the framework search path to $(SRCROOT) and set it to recursive.
I had to do this in Project Build Settings instead of Target Build Settings.
https://stackoverflow.com/a/31077255/38729
I plan to use AQGridView which I found on github, it says:
"This project compiles to a static library which you can include, or you can just reference the source files directly. Note that there are some resources to copy into your project for the tableview-style selection backgrounds."
But I have no idea what does this means, can anyone one tell me clearly the steps how can I add this to my project?
Thanks
After compiling the project, you'll get a dylib-file (you may already have it?).
Now, drag the dylib-file to your app-Xcode-project.
Go to your target settings and add the includes-folder to your Header Search Paths so that you can use it's public classes.
Now make sure it's in your target's 'Link with library'-list.
Compile!
How do I reference another project which has code I wish to leverage in XCode 4. In particular I'm trying to make use of the NSDate extensions from here.
Some notes:
I was assuming I should probably reference rather than trying build a framework
I tried copying the existing "Hello World" xcode project file across into my project, however this didn't seem to work
Do I need to create a new "Target" based on "coco touch static library" option?
Then would I need to Edit the current Product Scheme so that when I build the new target would build
What do I need to do on my project side exactly - should going Add Files, and choosing the extensions Xcode Project File be enough?
thanks
I was assuming I should probably reference rather than trying build a framework
yes, reference and link with it, unless you need only a bit of it. at this stage, separating the bits you want may be an advanced topic (depends on the lib's layout/depends as well). you should prefer to reference and link because it will normally minimize your maintenance time, especially if you use it in multiple projects.
I tried copying the existing "Hello World" xcode project file across into my project, however this didn't seem to work
you don't create a project, you add the library's xcode project to your app or library, set the lib as a dependency, add the library to your search paths if needed, then link with the library.
Do I need to create a new "Target" based on "coco touch static library" option?
no
Then would I need to Edit the current Product Scheme so that when I build the new target would build
no. you configure it as a dependency. you may need to alter the lib's build settings if there is a major conflict, which the linker or compiler would point out.
What do I need to do on my project side exactly - should going Add Files, and choosing the extensions Xcode Project File be enough?
start with the process outlined above.
There is no reason to bring in an actually project. Either you can bring in the source files themselves and you could even use the same exact files instead of copying them if you want. However, if you have more than just a few files, and you don't think you will be changing the code much, then creating a static library would probably be the best option.
I'm currently stuck trying to get my objective c generated files to compile in my iPhone project. Basically it keeps telling me there is no such directory for the following four imports:
Thrift/TProtocol.h
Thrift/TApplicationException.h
Thrift/TProtocolUtil.h
Thrift/TProcessor.h
I'm following all the instructions on the Thrift wiki and have downloaded and compiled the Thrift framework in XCode but there is no information specific to iPhone development. I'm almost certain it's a problem specific to an iPhone project because if I create a new command line project in XCode, I can import those files just fine.
After retaining the services of some kind of sorcerer I have figured out how to get Thrift to work with the iPhone/iPad (or at least get it to compile okay).
First, you want to grab the objective-c files with this command instead of from the wiki:
svn co http://svn.apache.org/repos/asf/incubator/thrift/trunk/lib/cocoa/src/ thrift-cocoa
Then, make a new Xcode project by going to New Project, selecting Framework & Library and Cocoa Framework. Click create and save it somewhere nice. Right click on Targets and select Add -> New Target. Choose Cocoa Touch and then Static Library. Give it a nice name. Go to the target's Build tab in info and change the Base SDK to iPhone Device (I'm using 3.2 but you can use whatever) and change Architectures to either Standard (armv6 armv7) or Optimized (armv7). Under the General tab add the Foundation and Cocoa frameworks.
Drag all of the files and folders you got from the svn repository into the Classes folder in the project. Check the copy items box and check the boxes next to both targets. Remove TSocketServer.h and .m from the Static Library's Copy Headers and Compile Sources folders respectively. You can now build the Static Library (and Framework optionally).
Open the project you want to use Thrift in and go to your target's General tab in info. Add the Static Library you just created to the Linked Libraries list. It should be named libYOUR_TARGET_NAME.a. Under the build tab go to Header Search Paths and add the path to the Thrift project you just created and check the recursive box.
Finally you just need to change the import statements in the Thrift generated code by simply removing the brackets and replacing them with quotes. You can now build you iPhone project again.
Try adding those .h files to your Xcode project.
In my app, i currently have all my code separated into a static library, to make it easier to set up the xcode project targets for the actual app and for unit tests for my code. The problem with this is that i want to put most of my xib files in the static library as well, but it seems that when i run my app and try to reference the xib it can't find it unless it is included in the actual app's target instead of the static library target. Is it possible to have xib files and other resources included in static libraries that can be referenced by code in that same library, and if so, how?
No it isn't possible, because a static library is not the same as a "bundle".
A bundle is a directory that may contain all manner of files including resource files (xib), executable files and static libraries. It exists on the filesystem as a group of individual files.
A static library is a single file that contains classes, code and variables that were linked together by the library creator. It does not "contain" other files, it is essentially a database of compiled code.
Although it would be possible to put the data for the xibs in there, Xcode would have no way of knowing that it was in there, as it looks for them as individual files on the filesystem.
In Mac OS, you may create a "Framework" which is essentially a bundle of code, resources, settings etc which may be reused by multiple projects. However, Apple does not seem to support custom framework creation for iPhone OS.
Bundles
https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFBundles/BundleTypes/BundleTypes.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000123i-CH101-SW1
Static Libraries
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_library
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No worries, I've been trying to do pretty much the same thing as you for the last week - I'd like to ship a "framework" of xibs, include files and .a libs to a client without giving them all the source code. I couldn't find a good way to do this with bundles either.
For whatever reason, Apple are being particularly obtuse about this - I can't see a reason for them to be so in the case of static libraries (dynamic libraries fair enough).
My solution for now is to manually create a package folder "Foo" that contains the following subfolders:
"include" -> put .h files here
"res" -> put .xib files here
"lib" -> contains "iphoneos" & "iphonesimulator" subfolders each with libFoo.a
Then zip this up and send to the client. The client then:
Unzips the package where ever they like.
Adds the "res" folder under the resources group.
Changes the following target settings:
Other Linker Flags = -Objc -lfoo
Header Search Paths = /include
Library Search Paths = /lib/$(PLATFORM_NAME)
I can probably automate the package creation with some build steps at my end, but the client is stuck with four slightly fiddly steps to get set up.
I found a perfect solution for this that does all the above automatically and more
https://github.com/kstenerud/iOS-Universal-Framework
Its an xCode plugin
It worked for me like a charm,
It works only for XCode 4 and above
Yes You can. add a xib file in your library as you would do for any normal project. Then in library project target add the xib file in copy Files section along with .a file.
In your main project where you are using the library, drag and drop the xib file where .a file for library is located.
Answer in including Xib files to your static library.
This time we have Xcode 11, you just create a bundle target in addition to your library target. The bundle template is available on macOS. Then from the library code, reference the bundle to be able to reference the nib. You distribute the library with the bundle.
A detailed video about using Xibs with static libraries below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQI02KR9kQw
When distributing you could also create an SDK. JSON.framework did this in their SVN, and I successfully replicated this. You can see how this was done in http://hltypes.svn.sf.net/ in the hltypes-ios.xcodeproj and the iOS folder in the project.
Primarily you need to "install" into your build folder, and then you need to copy the specially formatted SDKSettings.plist. Then add the path to the SDK into "Additional SDKs" list in application project. Downside of composite SDKs are the need to restart Xcode 3.x whenever this mini-SDK is updated, and Xcode's insistence on constructing a composite SDK created from Apple's base SDK and your mini-SDK (which means you need to wait quite a bit).
Application project still needs to have .xib and other resources manually added.