IBKit

A declarative style interface builder in Swift.

varbody:Interface{ViewGroup{UIImageView().assign(to: \Self.thumbnailImageView, on:self)UIView{UILabel().font(.preferredFont(forTextStyle:.title2)).textColor(.label)UILabel().font(.preferredFont(forTextStyle:.caption1)).textColor(.secondaryLabel).assign(to: \Self.additionalTextLabel, on:self)UIImageView().image(UIImage(named:"ic_passenger")?.withRenderingMode(.alwaysTemplate)).tintColor(.secondaryLabel)UILabel().font(.preferredFont(forTextStyle:.caption1)).textColor(.secondaryLabel)}.backgroundColor(.systemBackground)PriceView()UIView().backgroundColor(.separator)}}

Why IBKit

IBKit lets you write intuitive UI code in a collaboration-friendly way.

Xcode storyboards and interface builders have advantages in visual representation, but have critical weaknesses:

• Readability. IB files are designed to be read by Xcode, not humans.
• Collaboration. Due to low readability, it is hard to review changes and resolve conflicts.
• Scope handling. A single storyboard file keeps growing as your codebase grows. If you don't pay enough attention, you'll find a single file contains tens of screens.
• Safety. Interface builders don't know much about your Swift code. Missing references are not caught at compile-time and lead to runtime crash.

IBKit has an intuitive syntax written in Swift code, inspired by SwiftUI, and supports easy integration with Xcode Previews.

Requirements

• Xcode 11+
• Swift 5.1
• iOS 10

Installation

IBKit requires no external dependencies. Supported installation options are:

CocoaPods

# Podfile
user_framework!
target 'YOUR_TARGET_NAME' do
pod 'IBKit'
end

Replace YOUR_TARGET_NAME and then, in the Podfile directory, type:

$ pod install

Deployment target 11.0+ is required to install IBKit via CocoaPods.

Swift Package Manager

Create a Package.swift file.

// swift-tools-version:5.1
import PackageDescription
letpackage=Package(
name:"NAME",
dependencies:[.package(url:"https://github.com/IBCodeKit/IBKit.git", from:"SEMVER_TAG")],
targets:[.target(name:"NAME", dependencies:["IBKit"])])

Replace SEMVER_TAG and then type:

$ swift build

Or

Open XcodeProject > File > Swift Packages > Add Package Dependency..

Then, Type https://github.com/IBCodeKit/IBKit.git

Usage

Conform to InterfaceBuilder protocol.

classPriceView:UIView,InterfaceBuilder{varbody:Interface{...}}

Declare user interfaces in body.

ViewGroup{UIImageView().assign(to: \Self.thumbnailImageView, on:self)UIView{UILabel().font(.preferredFont(forTextStyle:.title2)).textColor(.label)UILabel().font(.preferredFont(forTextStyle:.caption1)).textColor(.secondaryLabel).didAwakeFromBuilder{ views in
views.this.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: views.superview.topAnchor).isActive =true
views.this.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: views.superview.trailingAnchor).isActive =true}}.backgroundColor(.systemBackground)}

Instantiate your view (or view controller) using a loadFromIB method.

letview=PriceView.loadFromIB()

Or load the body using a build method.

overrideinit(frame:CGRect){
super.init(frame: frame)build()}

Xcode Previews

1. Import the SwiftUI framework to your project. (Import WEAKLY if you support < iOS 13 devices, otherwise it crashes)

Open XcodeProject > Build Phases > Link Binary With Libraries > Add SwifTUI > Change SwiftUI status to Optional

2. Conform to PreviewProvider protocol.

#if canImport(SwiftUI) && DEBUGimport SwiftUI
@available(iOS 13.0,*)structPriceView_Preview:PreviewProvider{...}#endif

3. Implement PreviewProvider protocol with Preview class.

staticvarpreviews:someView{Preview(view:PriceView.loadFromIB())}

Contribution

Any pull requests and bug reports are welcome!

Feel free to make a pull request.