Create swift framework without exposing the implementation - ios

I have created a framework in swift where I have made limited number of classes as public.The default header which will be present on creating any a framework has only version number info. But when I try to use the framework, I am not able to access even the public classes and methods.
Can anybody suggest how could we create a swift framework without exposing the implementation.

It's how you pull a Swift Framework target into your app project that matters, not the header file. And if you are using Swift 3, you'll want to designate your classes as open, not public.
Option #1: Add the Framework's .xcodeproj file to your app's project.
You'll be able to edit the framework's source this way, but only only project can have it open at a time.
Option #2: Import the Framework's .framework file to your app's project.
You'll need to add this into your app's Linked Frameworks and Libraries. Also, you'll need to remember to reload it every time you make changes to the framework.

Related

How to create SDK for iOS in Swift?

I have my own Xcode project which contains some controllers. I want to make its SDK, for use it in another application. In parent application it works as child. Parent app will share some data with my controller and my controller works on it and gives back some result. So kindly guide for me. Examples are - Payment Gateway SDK's. I am looking for the same.
I can see you add tag for swift. In Swift, static libraries are not supported, so you must exclusively use a framework (aka dynamic library) when linking an app to a library. Framework is similar to sdk.
Here are the steps:
1)Create the Framework using New > Project under IOS > Framework & Library, select Cocoa Touch Framework
2)To avoid the "ld: warning: directory not found for option..." goto Library Search Paths in Build Settings for your target and delete the paths.
3)You can't mix Objective-C with Swift so don't even consider adding the Swift-Header bridge file in your code.
4)There are some cases in swift where you need to import code from unexposed Frameworks. I've successfully used the module-map inside the framework to deal with these case.
5)I also select CLANG_ALLOW_NON_MODULAR_INCLUDES_IN_FRAMEWORK_MODULES = YES in the Build Settings to solve 'include of non-modular header inside framework module'. That seems to work
6)I make sure that the header file that gets generated is marked as Public (not Project). Click on the file and you'll see the selection in the inspector under 'Target Membership'
Link
Also you can follow this tutorial. Since you have already created project.
Create a framework target, make all source code files a member of the new target, add the new target as target to the podfile. For everything else the tutorial should work. It should help you in understanding the steps.
Build framework

Is it possible to create a standalone distributed Swift Framework?

I have a scenario where I need to package some common code into a Swift only framework. I have found many tutorials on how to do this but all involve creating a framework within an iOS app. My goal is to:
Create a seperate Framework project
Build and produce a .framework file
Copy that single file(without all the source files) into some iOS app project, add it under "Linked Libraries" and use it.
Question: Is this possible or do I have to include all of the Classes that are part of the framework?
I have added a framework project to an iOS app and had success using it because all the source code was in the Framework project. I tried to copy that .framework file alone to a new project and use it but when trying to access the classes or instantiate the contents of the framework I couldn't even-though whatever needed to be declared as public was.
Appreciate any help...

Linking a framework for iOS

I'm creating my own iOS framework for use in one of my apps. Now I want to send the app to a friend so that he can run it. I want this to be as simple as possible for him, and I don't want him to have to change of the build settings or link the framework. Given that I don't know what directory he will place the framework in, I think I have 2 options:
1.
When I drag the framework into my app, I don't "copy" the framework, and instead just keep a reference to it. Furthermore, I place my framework in a directory called Project. Then the directory would look like this
/Project
App
Framework
This way, I can send the Project file, and when he runs the app the reference to the framework will be the same.
2. Copy the framework into the project, and just send the app.
Do both of these methods work the same?
Both methods should work. Reference to a file is kept in the project, and file is in the project directory. But, for example, if framework file was placed outside the project directory, it wouldn't work.

How to create an Xcode project that is not an app but is visible in other projects?

I want to create a project with a handful of categories that add useful functionality to UIKit.
I want to keep this as a separate project so that it can be source-controlled separately (and eventually hosted on github, and downloadable as a dependency via cocoa pods...but let's skip this for now.)
But all the Xcode 6.1 project templates imply an app inside. When I select an empty project it complains about missing base SDK. But this cannot be set without a target present. It is quite confusing. I don't need a target. Do I?
The project should be just a shell for a number of categories + a accompanying summary header file.
I want to be able to drag this project as a subproject to any other proper app project, import the summary header file and expose those categories to the main project.
Any advice?
You need a target. Every source file that should be compiled must be a part of a target.
You could reference each source file from the target(s) in your app's Xcode projects, but that'd be tedious as you'd have to add to every project manually when you add source to your shared repository.
Either create an embedded framework project or a static library. Unless you are really going to share code between an app and an app's extension, go with the static library. It is a lot easier to manage.
Create a project that has a static library target, add the files to that static library.
Then create a workspace that has your static library project and your app(s) project(s) in it. Modify the app targets to link against the static library.

Swift: using private framework

I have built an iOS Swift framework with Xcode.
After writing the code I have build the project and took the .framework file inside the Products folder to test it.
To test the framework have open a new application and drag and drop the .framework file previously built and I added it into the embedded binaries list of my application project.
To import it into my ViewController.swift class I wrote:
import frameworkName
No problem until here, this means that the project sees the framework.
When I try to use a public class inside the framework with:
var x : className?
I get the following error:
'className' is unavailable: cannot find Swift declaration for this class
What does it mean? What is the problem?
When you're referencing a framework in the products directory from your workspace, ensure that the location is "Built Products" and the filename is just the framework name, without any additional path components.
If you're referencing a framework that isn't in your workspace, I would recommend using Carthage instead of copying it directly into your repository. This will make versioning much easier, and will ensure that it is built correctly for both simulator and device.
To actual a self defined framework, u really have to do a lot of things.
Firstly, make sure ur framework is used on right device. It's to say framework can only be used on corresponding device(either one of Simulator, Device and Mac). In other words, if framework A built on simulator, project import framework A can only pass compile and successfully built on simulator.
P.S. if universal version desired, -lipo command is what u need to further explore.
Secondly, during implementing ur framework , make sure all the classes, methods and variables u want use outside start with Public.
Thirdly, check ur project setting Embedded Binaries and linked Frameworks and Libraries do contain ur framework.

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