R – What are the differences between Xcode generated .nib/.xib and interface builder .nib/.xib template

interface-builderiphonexcodexib

I am new to iPhone development so I have been working through some tutorials. What I don't understand is how xib fit into the work flow.

In a tutorial, one of the instruction is to create a new UIViewController subclass with "XIB for User Interface" selected. On my first try, I neglected to check that option and I thought may be I can just create the xib in Interface Builder but that didn't work. ( I created the xib using Cocoa Touch View Template, with the same name as the UIViewController and saved it the into project directory so it was added to the project.) I even changed the Class Identify for the File's Owner and hooked up the view outlet (the two differences I noticed when I inspected the xib generated from Xcode.)

So what are the differences between Xcode generated .xib (from UIViewController Template) and the IB .xib template?

Best Answer

XIB files created as part of the New File flow in Xcode have their File's Owner class pre-set, as well as certain outlets (view) already connected. Otherwise, there's not much difference.

Related Solutions

Ios – How to load custom UITableViewCells from Xib files

The right solution is this:

- (void)viewDidLoad
{
    [super viewDidLoad];
    UINib *nib = [UINib nibWithNibName:@"ItemCell" bundle:nil];
    [[self tableView] registerNib:nib forCellReuseIdentifier:@"ItemCell"];
}

-(UITableViewCell *)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView cellForRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath
{
    // Create an instance of ItemCell
    PointsItemCell *cell = [tableView dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier:@"ItemCell"];

    return cell;
}

Ios – How to load a UIView using a nib file created with Interface Builder

There is also an easier way to access the view instead of dealing with the nib as an array.

1) Create a custom View subclass with any outlets that you want to have access to later. --MyView

2) in the UIViewController that you want to load and handle the nib, create an IBOutlet property that will hold the loaded nib's view, for instance

in MyViewController (a UIViewController subclass)

  @property (nonatomic, retain) IBOutlet UIView *myViewFromNib;

(dont forget to synthesize it and release it in your .m file)

3) open your nib (we'll call it 'myViewNib.xib') in IB, set you file's Owner to MyViewController

4) now connect your file's Owner outlet myViewFromNib to the main view in the nib.

5) Now in MyViewController, write the following line:

[[NSBundle mainBundle] loadNibNamed:@"myViewNib" owner:self options:nil];

Now as soon as you do that, calling your property "self.myViewFromNib" will give you access to the view from your nib!

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Ios – How to load custom UITableViewCells from Xib files

Ios – How to load a UIView using a nib file created with Interface Builder

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