I need to clarify one doubt here:
When we create a static library and use them inside another project, why do we need to add the .xcodeproj file (for which this static library was created) reference in the code?
Shouldn't we be able to just give our library to anyone so that they could use in their project without needing our .xcodeproj file. If this is possible then what are the steps for it?
Give them the compiled .a files (one for ARM and one for Intel) and any header files that you want made public... that's pretty much it right there.
Related
I am sure this may be super silly but I have been spending so many hours trying to figure this out and looking everywhere. I added a 3rd party library to my Xcode project and when compiling it says that the header is missing even though I dragged the entire library to my projects.
Is there a way to manually link the header to my project? What am I missing? thanks!!
Not sure if this helps. I am trying to add ShopSavvy scanner. In Finder, I have a library called ScannerKit where my .xcodeproj is. Under the ScannerKit library there is a Headers library where all the headers are.
Are you sure you checked copy when you added it in?
Try deleting it, then importing it again, making sure the box is checked.
Sometimes a library may have the header outside of the main library, for example I know TestFlightApp do this, TestFlightApp.h is outside the main library.
What library are you trying to use?
This has often happened to me, and I have found that sometimes it depends where in your project the header is located. If you have a supporting files folder, I would put it there. Really anywhere inside the classes folder. I'm not really sure why this problem occurs, though.
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 want to share some code with other iOS projects. So I create static library.
When I use this library in other projects and use header file from that lib I get an error like No such file and Directory. Can any one tell me fixes of it.
Here I get reference for making static lib
http://www.amateurinmotion.com/articles/2009/02/08/creating-a-static-library-for-iphone.html
I downloaded that sample. It is also not working in my case. So please help me to fix that error.
Thanks in advance
My guess would be because the blog, whilst detailed, is probably a bit old now. Like anything there's a thousand ways to skin a cat.
You can now create frameworks for the iPhone sdk and include both simulator and device versions of the classes. Frameworks have the advantage that they can simply be dragged and dropped on Xcode to include them in a project. In addition I like to store my frameworks in version numbered directories so if I make changes, dependent projects can still use the old ones until I'm ready to update them.
I don't do it, but for the above reasons I'm not sure I'd drag and drop a libs project on a client project. To me the idea of a static framework is that it's independent on it's clients. Dropping it into client projects makes a connection between the two projects that is too tight.
Anyway do some searches on lipo and static frameworks. I also have so scripts in my project at https://github.com/drekka/dUsefulStuff that you mint find useful.
Sorry for the n00b question, but I have no more hair to pull. =(
I'm building my iOS project using XCode and have a reference to another XCode project, to make this work I also need to reference the bundle-file. The developer who built the project and bundle wanted to organize things and thus put all the images inside of this .bundle-file.
Now my question is this:
How do you add a file/resource to a .bundle file? -> http://grab.by/7p3Y
The file type of the bundle is: wrapper.plug-in -> http://grab.by/7p3W
The files I add by right-clicking and selecting add existing files all end up in the project not in the bundle resource.
Any kind of help will be most appreciated! Also an indication if this is common or a custom solution?
Best regards
Abeansits
Update:
As usual the problem was me, I'm blaming this on low sugar levels. =(
All you need to do is add a file to the bundle manually and it will show up in XCode.
As I wrote in the question, the solution is really simple. Just add the files you need inside the project to the bundle. Since the bundle is actually a folder, you can right click it an select show content. Anything you later add to the folder will show up in the project.
I guess this confused me since usually when you add resources to your project you need to do this through XCode.
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
Reply to comment (won't fit in comment box)
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.