Adding View controllers as subview in Swift - macos

Am trying to build a simple calculator app using swift. I have created two view controller with the basic and advanced options. Earlier in Obj-C used to do this
[[AViewController alloc] initWithNibName:#"nibName" bundle:nil]
In swift I cannot even import my new view controllers. But still I can declare as var aViewController:AViewController? and use it. But I am stuck at loading nib
I tried with AViewController(nibName: "nibname", bundle: nil), but everything results in compiler error Could not find an overload for __conversion that accepts the supplied arguments

Try this one,
AViewController(nibName: "nibname", bundle: NSBundle.mainBundle())
This works perfect for me.
Declaration : SWIFT (UINib Class Reference)
init(nibName name: String!,
bundle bundleOrNil: NSBundle!) -> UINib
Declaration : SWIFT (UIViewController Class Reference)
init(nibName nibName: String!,
bundle nibBundle: NSBundle!)
The exclamation mark effectively says, “I know that this optional definitely has a value; please use it.” This is known as forced unwrapping of the optional’s value.
This is the reason, we cannot pass "nil" as second parameter i.e bundle
Cheers..!

Looks like nil was the one causing trouble when I replaced it with NSBundle.mainBundle() it worked.

Related

macOS Apple Help Authoring - Anchors

I'm trying to make an Apple Help book for my macOS app that I'm ready to release. However, I am trying to make anchors work in my HTML. By Apple's definition:
"Anchors allow you to uniquely identify topics in your help book. When
a user follows a link to an anchor, Help Viewer loads the page
containing the anchor. ... You can also use anchors to load an
anchored page from within your application by calling the the
NSHelpManager method openHelpAnchor:inBook: ..."
Example from Apple: <a name="ArrivalTimesUsingStopID"></a>
In my Apple, I have an NSAlert which has the following code to display the help button so that when you click on it, it opens the specified anchor string.
alert.showsHelp = true
alert.helpAnchor = NSHelpManager.AnchorName(stringLiteral: "ArrivalTimesUsingStopID")
Running the code does display the help button and Mac Help does open, but to an error saying that the specified content cannot be found. Not sure why the anchors aren't working because I can access the Help Book if I go to the Help menu and open it from there.
Furthermore, Apple's document states:
The NSAlert, SFChooseIdentityPanel, SFCertificatePanel classes provide
help buttons for dialogs. To display such a help button and link it to
an anchor in your help book, use the methods setShowsHelp: and
setHelpAnchor: in those classes.
and the documentation for these properties in NSAlert state:
-setShowsHelp:YES adds a help button to the alert panel. When the help button is pressed, the delegate is first consulted. If the delegate
does not implement alertShowHelp: or returns NO, then -[NSHelpManager
openHelpAnchor:inBook:] is called with a nil book and the anchor
specified by -setHelpAnchor:, if any. An exception will be raised if
the delegate returns NO and there is no help anchor set.
...so I know that I am using these two properly.
I also understand that I need to create a .helpindex file every time I update my Apple Help book HTML documents. I'm using "Help Indexer.app" which is in the Additional Xcode Tools on developer.apple.com. I make sure that:
I have the option set to index all anchors.
Any HTML page with an anchor has <meta name="ROBOTS" content="ANCHORS"> in the header so anchors are indexed.
My Apple Help book plist file correctly points to the .helpindex file created by "Help Indexer.app".
But even with all of this, I cannot get it to open the Apple Help book to the correct anchor or even the Title page of my Apple Help book.
I've read
https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Carbon/Conceptual/ProvidingUserAssitAppleHelp/user_help_intro/user_assistance_intro.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30000903-CH204-CHDIDJFE
from cover to cover multiple times and I cannot find a solution or anywhere online.
I've also tried opening it manually, but it just opens to the same error saying the specified content couldn't be found with the following code:
let bookName = Bundle.main.object(forInfoDictionaryKey: "CFBundleHelpBookName") as! String
NSHelpManager.shared.openHelpAnchor("ArrivalTimesUsingStopID", inBook: bookName)
Using nil for the inBook parameter doesn't work either:
NSHelpManager.shared.openHelpAnchor("ArrivalTimesUsingStopID", inBook: nil)
Any ideas?
I'm not sure if this is the answer at this point, but it is an answer and one that seems to do the trick. I wasn't able to get the helpAnchor in the Alert to work, but using the help delegate, the method outlined below works.
I started out my day trying to open the Help Book to a simple anchor. I'm sure this used to work using the NSHelpManager in the past, but it does not appear to in recent versions of the OS.
Watching the console while opening my under-development App's help book resulted in the following:
Opening URL help:openbook=%22com.ClueTrust.Cartographica.help*1.5.2d1%22 with application <FSNode 0x6000006a1b40> { isDir = y, path = '/System/Library/CoreServices/HelpViewer.app' }
Opening to my anchor using NSHelpManager resulted in:
Opening URL help:anchor=SpatialJoinOperation%20bookID=%22com.ClueTrust.Cartographica.help%22%20appID=%22com.ClueTrust.Cartographica%22 with application <FSNode 0x6000006a8260> { isDir = y, path = '/System/Library/CoreServices/HelpViewer.app' }
And, it didn't result in opening to my anchor.
I tried appending the *<version> to my URL:
Opening URL help:anchor=SpatialJoinOperation%20bookID=%22com.ClueTrust.Cartographica.help*1.5.2d1%22%20appID=%22com.ClueTrust.Cartographica%22 with application <FSNode 0x600000682c20> { isDir = y, path = '/System/Library/CoreServices/HelpViewer.app'
Looking deeper into the Console, though, I noticed that this is definitely triggering a network request and there's an unsupported URL coming back.
It's not clear to me if help:anchor=... does not function any longer, but I did find a relatively easy, but annoying way around the problem.
Anchors within help will definitely be opened when using a help: URL that is formatted like a file: URL and contains an anchor; and they will open to the correct anchor location.
This requires locating the specific help book and HTML file so that you can specify precisely where to open.
NSURL *helpBookURL = [NSBundle.mainBundle URLForResource:#"Cartographica" withExtension:#"help"];
NSBundle *helpBundle = [NSBundle bundleWithURL:helpBookURL];
NSURL *helpPageURL = [helpBundle URLForResource:#"Spatial_Join" withExtension:#"html"];
NSURLComponents *urlParts = [NSURLComponents componentsWithURL:helpPageURL resolvingAgainstBaseURL:NO];
urlParts.scheme=#"help";
urlParts.fragment=#"SpatialJoinOperation";
NSURL *finalHelpURL = urlParts.URL;
[NSWorkspace.sharedWorkspace openURL:finalHelpURL];
Basically:
Get the URL for the help book (need to do this in a way that gets it from the resource path, hence we're using NSBundle)
Locate the page containing the reference based on prior knowledge (in this case Spatial_Join.html is our filename, so we have the bundle look for it by name and extension.
Use the NSURLComponents interface to mutate the NSURL by changing the scheme from file to help and adding our achor in the fragment.
Finally, open the newly-created URL
It's not pretty, but it does appear to be effective and safe, at least in a non-sandboxed macOS App under 10.15.
Note that I could make some assumptions here about the help book name, but for illustration purposes this seems more clear, and because of the way resources work, it's not clear that those assumptions about the names would be appropriate in all situations.
My final result was this helper method:
- (void)openHelpPage:(NSString*)pageName anchor:(NSString * _Nullable)anchor bookName:(NSString * _Nullable)bookName
{
NSURL *helpBookURL = [NSBundle.mainBundle URLForResource:bookName withExtension:#"help"];
NSBundle *helpBundle = [NSBundle bundleWithURL:helpBookURL];
NSURL *helpPageURL = [helpBundle URLForResource:pageName withExtension:#"html"];
NSURLComponents *urlParts = [NSURLComponents componentsWithURL:helpPageURL resolvingAgainstBaseURL:NO];
urlParts.scheme=#"help";
if (anchor)
urlParts.fragment=anchor;
NSURL *finalHelpURL = urlParts.URL;
[NSWorkspace.sharedWorkspace openURL:finalHelpURL];
}
Call site syntax is:
// to specific anchor on a page
[self openHelpPage: #"Spatial_Join" anchor: #"SpatialJoinOperation" helpBook: nil];
// to specific page
[self openHelpPage: #"Spatial_Join" anchor: nil helpBook: nil];
I tried getting the help bundle with [NSBundle bundleWithIdentifier:] using the help bundle ID, but that returned nil. However, [NSBundle URLForResource:withExtension] will take a nil argument for the resourceName and get the first item that matches the extension. In my case (and I believe many) there is only one help resource, so this allows for a method that doesn't require knowledge of the Application's help book name.
I was finally able to get this working in a sandboxed application.
If you're using a Help button directly, you can use something like:
#IBAction func helpButtonAction(_ sender: Any)
{
if let bookName = Bundle.main.object(forInfoDictionaryKey: "CFBundleHelpBookName") as? String {
NSHelpManager.shared.openHelpAnchor("MY_ANCHOR_HERE", inBook: bookName)
}
}
If you're using an NSAlert(), you can use its help button with an anchor this way:
let alert = NSAlert()
...
alert.showsHelp = true
alert.helpAnchor = NSHelpManager.AnchorName("MY_ANCHOR_HERE")
A few things I learned the hard way:
Make sure your HTML page for your Help Book has a the proper setup for an anchor with:
<meta name="robots" content="anchors"> in the <head> section as well as a proper header tag in the fashion of:
<a name="MY_ANCHOR_HERE"></a> in your <body> section.
Make sure you use "Help Indexer.app" to index your Help Book. I found that it will not work unless you index your Help Book using this app. This app can be downloaded from developer.apple.com under More Downloads. They usually release a new version with every Xcode update. You want to look for "Additional Tools" and the specific indexer app will be located in
Additional Tools > Utilities > Help Indexer.app
Additionally, macOS does not like when you have multiple Help Books. This means, multiple copies of your Application on your Mac no matter where they reside. This could be in your Debug folder and your Application folder as your most common places. I found that deleting the copy in my Applications folder usually helps macOS not get confused when opening a Help Book. I have also found it to open up older versions of the Help Book so it's best to make sure you only have once copy of your app on your Mac when debugging help books.
But other than that, they should open just fine with simply an Anchor string and a few lines of code depending on how you display your Help button!

How to use NSObjectController and Managed Object Context using Cocoa Bindings

Searched entire Internet but couldn’t find the modern solution for my problem.
I want to use NSObjectController in pair with Core Data through Cocoa Bindings and struggle to set it up properly. Worth noting that I’m using latest version of Xcode and Swift.
What I’ve done:
For testing purposes I’ve done the following:
Created an macOS app with “Use Core Data” option selected (the app is not document based);
Dragged 2 NSTextFields into the Storyboard Dragged NSObjectController to the view controller scene;
Added Employee Entity to Core Data model with 2 attributes “name” and “surname”;
Done everything from the answer in How do I bind my Array Controller to my core data model?
Set NSObjectController to entity mode and typed in “Employee”,
Prepares Content selected, Use Lazy Fetching selected so all three options checked;
Binded the NSObjectController’s Managed Object Context in bindings inspector to the View Controller’s managedObjectContext;
Binded NSTextFields as follows: Value - Object Controller, Controller key - selection, Model Key Path - name (for 1st text field) and surname (for 2nd).
That’s it.
First set of questions: What I did wrong and how to fix it if it’s not completely wrong approach?
I’ve read in some post on stackoverflow that doing it that way allows automatic saving and fetching from Core Data model. That’s why I assumed it should work.
So here is a Second set of questions:
Is it true?
If it is then why text fields are not filled when view is displayed?
If it is not then how to achieve it if possible (trying to write as less code as possible)?
Third question: If I used approach that is completely wrong would someone help me to connect Core Data and NSObjectController using Cocoa bindings and show me the way of doing so with as less code written as possible using the right approach?
Taking into account that there no fresh posts about this topic in the wilds I think the right answer could help a lot of people that are developing a macOS app.
Thanks in advance!
I think your basic approach is correct, although it is important to understand that you need a real object, an instance, in order for it to work.
Creating a NSManagedObject subclass is generally desirable, and is almost always done in a real project, so you can define and use properties. You can do it easily nowadays by selecting the data model in Xcode's Project Navigator and clicking in the menu: Editor > Create NSManagedObject Subclass…. Technically it is not necessary, and in a demo or proof-of-concept, you often muddle through with NSManagedObject.
Assuming you are using the Xcode project template as you described, wherein AppDelegate has a property managedObjectContext, the following function in your AppDelegate class will maintain, creating when necessary, and return, what I call a singular object – an object of a particular entity, in this case Employee, which your app requires there to be one and only one of in the store.
#discardableResult func singularEmployee() -> NSManagedObject? {
var singularEmployee: NSManagedObject? = nil
let fetchRequest: NSFetchRequest<NSManagedObject> = NSFetchRequest(entityName: "Employee")
let objects = try? self.managedObjectContext.fetch(fetchRequest)
singularEmployee = objects?.first
if singularEmployee == nil {
singularEmployee = NSEntityDescription.insertNewObject(forEntityName: "Employee", into: self.managedObjectContext)
}
return singularEmployee
}
Then, add this line of code to applicationDidFinishLaunching
singularEmployee()

Including Asset Catalogue in Test Targets

In one of my XCTests classes, I need to load up an image from an asset catalogue to test an image processing logic. However, it seems like using UIImage(named: "imageName") returns nil in the testing target.
I checked the testing target membership in my Asset Catalogue, is there anything else I should do to enable reading of the image from my XCTest classes?
The answer by #mylovemhz is correct but incomplete. You need to reference the bundle:
Swift 3:
UIImage(named: "imageName", in: Bundle(for: MyTestClass.self), compatibleWith: nil)
Also ensure that your asset is included in the same target as your test class.
According to the documentation, you have to add them at runtime.
If your tests use assets—data files, images, and so forth—they can be
added to the test bundle and accessed at run time using the NSBundle
APIs. Using +[NSBundle bundleForClass:] with your test class ensures
that you obtain the correct bundle to retrieve assets. For more
information, see NSBundle Class Reference.
In Swift, it would be something along the lines of:
let appBundle = Bundle(for: type(of: MyClass) as! AnyClass)

How to set iAd Delegate to new View Controller

I am developing an application using Xcode 7 and Swift 2. I recently discovered an error in my code. In the debugger log (I think that is what it is called) , it printed this:
[AppDeveloper] ADBannerView: Unhandled error (no delegate or delegate does not implement didFailToReceiveAdWithError:): Error Domain=ADErrorDomain Code=7 "Ad was unloaded from this banner" UserInfo={ADInternalErrorCode=7, NSLocalizedFailureReason=Ad was unloaded from this banner, ADInternalErrorDomain=ADErrorDomain}
I did some research and found out that I needed this code:
iAdBannerView.delegate = self
In my viewDidLoad method. I tried it, and I no longer recieved the error. However, I have two viewControllers. Both contain iAds. In the original view controller, ViewController.swift, the code workds. In the view controller that I later added, AboutViewContoller, I get this error:
Cannot assign a value of type 'AboutViewController' to a value of type 'ADBannerViewDelegate?"
Could someone please show me my error in my code?
Earlier, I had:
class AboutViewController: UIViewController {
I forgot the ADBannerViewDelegate. The correct code is:
class AboutViewController: UIViewController, ADBannerViewDelegate {
Thanks to Charles A. and Daniel Storm for helping out!

Generating Swift models from Core Data entities

Update for Xcode 8:
In Xcode 8, one needs to go to the Core Data Model Editor and Show the File Inspector. Near the bottom is an option for code generation. Select Swift.
Edit: I found the solution to generate a Swift model from Core Data entity:
On Xcode:
Editor > Create NSManagedOjbect > Click button "Next" > Click button "Next" > Select "Swift" Langage > Click button "Create"
I tried Swift langage by creating a new Swift project on Xcode 6 beta using Core Data.
When I generate my models from my Core Data's entities, Xcode creates Objective-C models.
Is there a way to generate Swift model rather than Obejctive-C model with Core Data ?
Thanks !
Lets have a look on the Objective-C way:
Person.h (Header-File)
#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>
#import <CoreData/CoreData.h>
#interface Person : NSManagedObject
#property (nonatomic, retain) NSString *name;
#end
Person.m (Implementation-File)
#import "Person.h"
#implementation Person
#dynamic name;
#end
Swift
The documentation already included in Xcode6-Beta says:
Core Data provides the underlying storage and implementation of properties in subclasses of the NSManagedObject class. Add the #NSManaged attribute before each property definition in your managed object subclass that corresponds to an attribute or relationship in your Core Data model. Like the #dynamic attribute in Objective-C, the #NSManaged attribute informs the Swift compiler that the storage and implementation of a property will be provided at runtime. However, unlike #dynamic, the #NSManaged attribute is available only for Core Data support.
So that is how I would rewrite the above example for Swift (not tested):
Person.swift
import CoreData
class Person: NSManagedObject {
#NSManaged var name : NSString
}
And according to your question I think the subclass-generation-feature might be not included in Xcode6 yet. Did you made sure that you have chosen "Swift" as programming language when you were creating the Cocoa-Project in Xcode?
You can get Swift model back using NSEntityDescription.insertNewObjectForEntityForName but you must edit your core data model file and not use Person as a Class Entity but <ProjectName>.Person else it returns NSManagedObject...
Using println() you won't see Person instance but something like <_TtC5ProjectName4Person: 0xc9ad5f0> but calling methods on this will prove it's a Person instance for real. I guess it's just the way for Swift to generate unique class names, not conflict and CoreData methods show this internal mechanism.
The Apple documentation says:
Swift classes are namespaced—they’re scoped to the module (typically, the project) they are compiled in. To use a Swift subclass of the NSManagedObject class with your Core Data model, prefix the class name in the Class field in the model entity inspector with the name of your module.
According to Apple's video regarding What's new In CoreData frame: 38mins (WWDC2014 Session 225), in inspector's Data Model, prefix the class name with the project name. Like projectName.Doctor
I've tried this but what will happen is that the generated managed object class becomes: projectName.swift instead of Doctor.swift. Even the class declaration becomes class projectName: ManagedObject
Solution:
In Data model inspector, just specify the Name & Class of your object to what name you want, example: Doctor
After you generated an object model and selecting Swift, this will create a file (Doctor.swift).
Now, when inserting new records in Core Data, you might an experience error "Class not found, using default NSManagedObject instead" even if you cast the newly inserted object to a correct object name.
To solve this, you just need to add #objc(class name) above the class declaration. See sample below.
import Foundation
import CoreData
#objc(Doctor)
class Doctor: NSManagedObject {
#NSManaged var name: String
}
Then:
let doctorManagedObject = NSEntityDescription.insertNewObjectForEntityForName("Doctor", inManagedObjectContext: context) as Doctor
doctorManagedObject.name = "John" // you can now use dot syntax instead of setValue
Save context to commit insert.
I tested #NSManaged, it didn't work. :( .
But mixed models files(.h) generated by xcdatamodel, it succeed.
please read the doc and code in https://github.com/iascchen/SwiftCoreDataSimpleDemo
Alternatively, you can just add #import "Person.h" to the bridging header, Project-Bridging-Header.h that Xcode generates for you (if you accepted it's offer to generate). Then you can use all the auto-generated Obj-C as if it were native Swift.
Editor -> Create NSManagedObject Subclass works fine for Swift
Simply go through all the usual steps, but when you get to creating the files, choose Language 'Swift' if it's the first time you've used Create NSManagedObject Subclass with a Swift project it'll be defaulting to Objective C
For XCode 12.
You can change generating model language.

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