Articles
In-depth articles about iOS programming, techniques, language features, architectual patterns, and beyond.
List view, a UITableView equivalent in SwiftUI
Part 3 in the series "Building Lists and Navigation in SwiftUI". We will explore a List, UITableView equivalent in SwiftUI.
How to create custom operators and do operators overloading in Swift
Learn how to overload existing operators such as +, -, *, / or create a custom one (such as .^.).
How to use ScrollView in SwiftUI
Part 2 in the series "Building Lists and Navigation in SwiftUI". We will explore a ScrollView, UIScrollView equivalent in SwiftUI.
What is @Environment in SwiftUI
Learn how SwiftUI shares application settings and preference values across the app.
Create a list of views in SwiftUI using ForEach
Part 1 in the series "Building Lists and Navigation in SwiftUI". We visit the first building block of any list view, content, and how to create them.
Different ways to check if a string contains another string in Swift
Learn how to check if a string contains another string, numbers, uppercased/lowercased string, or special characters.
Different ways to compare string in Swift
String comparison is an essential operation for day to day job. Swift provides a few variations for this. We will visit them in this article.
How to change the color of SF Symbols
SF symbols are icon sets that Apple design to work with their system font. Learn how to change its color and how to show them in multicolor style.
How to fix "Skipping duplicate build file" warning in Xcode
There might be several reasons that cause this error. Here are the solutions that fix it for me.
How to convert a String to an Int in Swift
Learn to convert a string "123" to an integer 123.
Different ways to sort an array of strings in Swift
Learn a proper way to sort an array of strings in each circumstance.
How to specify fractional digits for formatted number string in Swift
Learn how to format a Float and Double string.
How to use DateFormatter in Swift
Learn how to use this expensive DateFormatter.
How to fix "Build input file cannot be found" error in Xcode
There might be several reasons that cause this error. I will share one solution that fixes the one that happened to me the most.
How expensive is DateFormatter
If you are working on iOS for long enough, there is a chance that you might have known that DateFormatter is expensive, but what is costly about DateFormatter? Let's find out in this article.
How to get the first N elements of array in Swift
Learn a few ways to do it and things you should know when using them.
Custom UIStackView spacing
Learn a lesser-known API to create a custom UIStackView spacing without nested them together.
Scaling custom fonts automatically with Dynamic Type
Font is an essential part of an app. A good selection of font would make your app stand out from the crowd. But whatever fonts you choose, you have to make sure it doesn't lose its core function, readability. You might feel reluctant to use a custom font in the past because you might lose the benefit of dynamic type goodness that Apple provides with their system font. Since iOS 11, this is no longer the case. You can easily use your custom font dynamic type.
Multi-cursor editing in Xcode
It is a hidden gem in Xcode that can save up your coding time. Learn what it is, how to use it, and some use cases.
Getting the number of days between two dates in Swift
There are a few variations when dealing with counting days. You need to ask yourself some questions beforehand.
Understanding Date and DateComponents
Date and time might be among your list of the hardest things in programming (It is for me). Today, I'm going to talk about a basic concept of a Date and its companion DateComponents.
What is @escaping in Swift closures
Learn the meaning of @escaping, so you know what to do when you see it or when you need to write one.
Better print debugging with Xcode breakpoints
Print debugging is the simplest form of debugging technique, but it possesses some drawbacks. Let's see how we can make it better by using Xcode breakpoints.
Reduce boilerplate code with an automatic synthesis of Equatable and Hashable conformance
Equatable and Hashable are two essential protocols in the Swift world. Let's learn an old Swift feature that you might forget.
Setting default values for NSUserDefaults
NSUserDefaults is a go-to database for saving users' preferences. Learn how to populate it with your default values.
How to save/export an image in Mac Catalyst
Learn how to lets users save an image outside of your app’s sandbox.
3 lesser-known ways of using Swift enums
Three language features around Swift enumeration that you might not aware of.
Testing delegates and protocols in XCTest
Learn how to write unit tests for delegate/protocol methods.
Make a placeholder view in SwiftUI with redacted()
SwiftUI provides an easy way to convert to render any view into a placeholder style by redacting its content.
Move your view around with Drag Gesture in SwiftUI
SwiftUI's UIPanGestureRecognizer equivalent.
Quick way to open a Custom URL Scheme in iOS Simulator
In the past, the way I test a custom URL scheme is to go to Safari and open up any of my custom URLs. If you are still doing that, there is a better alternative.
How to renew an expired certificate with Fastlane Match
Fastlane Match saves us a lot of time managing certificates and provisioning profiles, but there is one thing that we have to do it manually. That is a renewal expired certificate. Luckily, we have to do it once a year. Let's learn how to do it.
How to Add inline images with text in SwiftUI
In iOS 14, we have a new way to put images along with texts.
How to declare Swift protocol for a specific class
Learn how to create protocols that constrain their conforming types to a given class.
A new way to manage the back button title in iOS 14 with backButtonDisplayMode
Apple adds a new way to control where the back button will pick up its title. Let's see how this make thing a lot easier going forward.
SVG image assets supported in Xcode 12
We finally get SVG supported and the best thing is it is backward compatible with some limitations.
What should you know about a navigation history stack in iOS 14
In iOS 14, long-press on the back button will bring up a history stack. Learn what you should consider with this new behavior.
Cross-promote apps with SKOverlay
SKOverlay is a new tool from Apple for doing apps cross-promotion.
UIToolbar in SwiftUI
In iOS 14, we finally have a way to set a toolbar for a view in a navigation view.
Custom navigation bar title view in SwiftUI
Learn how to set a navigation bar title view in SwiftUI.
A first look at matchedGeometryEffect
This modifier can interpolate position and size between two views. This is one of the most exciting features for me. Let's see what is capable of in this beta.
Should I learn UIKit or SwiftUI
The most popular question since the introduction of SwiftUI. Here is my thought after WWDC20.
Add custom SwiftUI view to View Library with LibraryContentProvider
A new way to create a reusable view.
SwiftUI's Toggle Customization
How to create a reusable toggle style in SwiftUI.
Easy way to detect a retain cycle in a view controller
A view controller is one component where memory leak usually takes place since it holds many pieces together. One of the easiest ways to detect them is to see if a view controller is not being deallocated. Let's see how Xcode breakpoint can help you find a leak.
Sleep sort: A sorting algorithm without compare
I can't tell it is a stupid or genius algorithm, but it sure got a beauty in it.
Animation delay and repeatForever in SwiftUI
Explore how delay and repeatForever affect an animation.
What is backIndicatorTransitionMaskImage
To set a custom image for the back button, we need to set an image to both backIndicatorImage and backIndicatorTransitionMaskImage, but what does backIndicatorTransitionMaskImage really mean?
How to change a back button image
Learn how to change a UINavigationBar back button indicator.
Responsive design with UIStackView
Learn how UIStackView can help to make your UI adapt to size change.
Match a view's shadow to the Sketch shadow
Learn how to set shadow spread and blur from a Sketch design.
Different ways to check for String suffix in Swift
Learn how to get a suffix from a Swift string.
Decode an array with a corrupted element
When working with an unstable, legacy, or third party API, you might get a malformed object in an array. Learn how to decode a JSON array with corrupted data in Codable safely.
How to set cornerRadius for only some corners
Learn to round specific corners, e.g., top-left and top-right.
How to set status bar style
Learn different ways to control the status bar style.
Different ways to check for String prefix in Swift
Learn how to get a prefix from a Swift string.
How to compare two app version strings in Swift
Learn how to check your app version strings are higher or lower.
How to split a string into an array of substrings in Swift
Learn different ways to split a string into an array of substrings.
How to make multi-line text in UIButton
The default appearance of UIButton is a single line text, but it also supports a multi-line text with some minor tweak.
History of Auto Layout constraints
Learn different ways to define Auto Layout constraints programmatically.
How to preserve a struct memberwise initializer when you have a custom initializer
A tip to declare a custom initializer without losing a memberwise initializer.
Memberwise Initializers for Structure Types
Struct is one of the basic building blocks in your app. Today I'm going to share some tips about memberwise Initializers.
How to display HTML in UILabel and UITextView
When you work with an API, there would be a time when your backend wants to control a text style, and HTML is the most common format for the job. Do you know that WKWebView is not the only way to present HTML string? Learn how to render it in UILabel and UITextView.
How to remove text from navigation bar back button
There are a lot of hacky ways to modify or remove a back button title. This tip will show you how to do it properly.
Useful Xcode shortcuts for unit testing
Testing is a process we do along with our development. Knowing shortcuts would help you save some time, which will add up in the long run.
tintColor in SwiftUI
We will talk about accentColor, a tintColor equivalent in SwiftUI.
tintColor
Introduce you to one of an essential part of iOS theming. What is tintColor and its benefit.
SwiftUI ButtonStyle
How to create a reusable button style in SwiftUI.
SF Symbols: What is it, and how to use?
Introduction of SF Symbols, learn the basics, and how to use them.
How to create code snippets in Xcode
Create a reusable boilerplate snippet that you can use in the project.
Class-only Protocols: class or AnyObject
If you are still declaring class-only protocols by inheriting them from class, you might need to revise your knowledge.
How to create Neumorphic design in SwiftUI
Neumorphism or Neomorphism is a new design trend of UI recently. We are going to see how to implement this in SwiftUI.
How to remove Cocoapods from your project
Swift Package Manager is getting better every day. It is a matter of time before everyone supports it. When the time comes, make sure you know how to say goodbye to this old friend.
How to read a Property List (plist) into the code
When I want to keep some information or configuration out of a code base and don't want something fancy, I usually save it as Property List file. Let's see how to do it.
How to create a new Xcode project without Storyboard
Modify AppDelegate or SceneDelegate to support a non-storyboard approach.
How to create Activity Ring in SwiftUI
A guide to creating an activity-ring-like circular progress bar in SwiftUI. An in-depth tutorial of what I think when making a custom view. At the end of this article, you will be able to create the Activity ring used in the Activity app on Apple Watch.
Testing Remote Push Notification in iOS simulator
A new and easier way to test Apple push notification on iOS simulator.
Gradient in SwiftUI
SwiftUI has built-in ways to apply gradient color to its view. We are going to explore all three types of gradients provided, LinearGradient, RadialGradient, and AngularGradient.
SwiftUI basic Shape operations
Most complex custom views can be made by composing many basic shapes together. Today we will learn basic operations that we can do with them. It may seem trivial, but knowing these basics will benefit you in the future.
Sign in with Apple Tutorial, Part 4: Web and Other Platforms
Part forth in a series Sign in with Apple. Use Sign in with Apple JS to let users set up accounts and sign in to your website and apps on other platforms.
Print unescaped string output in Swift
How to print object (po) in a debugger (lldb) without escape special characters.
Sign in with Apple Tutorial, Part 3: Backend – Token verification
Part 3 in a series Sign in with Apple. In this part, we will see how backend can use the token to sign up/sign in users.
What is @discardableResult
Learn about this Swift attribute and its purpose.
Sign in with Apple Tutorial, Part 2: Private Email Relay Service
Part 2 in a series Sign in with Apple. In this part, we will talk about the anonymous email address. How to make it work and its limitation.
Sign in with Apple Tutorial, Part 1: Apps
Part 1 in a series Sign in with Apple. In the first part, we will focus on the app part. What we need to do to add Sign in with Apple option in our app.
Manually symbolicate crash reports
A guide to decode a gibberish crash report to a human readable format.
Unwrap optional values in XCTest with XCTUnwrap
No more manual if let and guard let in your tests.
// MARK: - What is it?
If this is just a comment for you, this article might benefit you.
Caching dependencies in Github Actions
How to cache Pods, Ruby gem, and Carthage in your iOS project.
Dark color cheat sheet
A cheat sheet that tells you what colors to use to support dark mode. This is a guide for those who want to adopt dark mode, but too lazy to figure out which color to use.
Github Actions for iOS projects
How to setup ci for iOS projects with Github Actions.
Take a screenshot and record a video in iOS Simulator
Learn how to do all of this without any external tools.
UINavigationBar changes in iOS13, Part2: UISearchController
Revisit of navigation bar appearance — this time with a UISearchController. If you have a search bar in your navigation bar, you might need to recheck when you build your app against iOS13.
Data in SwiftUI, Part 3: Tools
The last part in a series on understanding data in SwiftUI. See all tools SwiftUI provided to declare different types of data and dependency. Learn when and how to use @State, @Binding, ObservableObject, @ObservedObject, @EnvironmentObject, and @Environment.
Data in SwiftUI, Part 2: Views as a function of data
Part 2 in a series on understanding data in SwiftUI. We will talk about the key that makes principles in part 1 possible in SwiftUI. And how this resulting in a reduction of the complexity of UI development.
Data in SwiftUI, Part 1: Data
Part 1 in a series on understanding data in SwiftUI. In the first part, we will try to understand the importance of data and how they play an essential role in SwiftUI.
UIRefreshControl with new card style modal
Make sure your refresh control working on iOS 13.
Create a new iOS12 project in Xcode11
Required modifications to make your newly created project work in iOS 12 or lower.
UINavigationBar changes in iOS13
Apple brings a lot of appearance changes in iOS13, and the navigation bar is one of them. Cover everything you should know once you build your app against iOS13 (Xcode11).
Adopting iOS Dark Mode
A long-awaited feature has finally come to iOS. Join it or not is your choice to make. This article will guide you through it.
Modality changes in iOS13
In iOS13, the modal presentation gets a new look and dismissal gesture. This article will talk about what you can do with these new welcoming changes.
Custom UIHostingController
Learn how to create a custom subclass of UIHostingController and its benefit.
SwiftUI's ViewModifier
Learn a crucial concept in SwiftUI, view modifier, and a guide of how to create your custom modifier.
Better dependency injection for Storyboards in iOS13
Say goodbye to optional properties in your view controllers. In iOS13, you can inject those properties at a time of view controller creation.
UISplitViewController in SwiftUI
WWDC session shows us a way to create UISplitViewController with NavigationView in SwiftUI. It finally works in Xcode 11 Beta 3.
Browse SF Symbols on Mac
SF Symbols contain over 1,500 icons. It would be hard if you don't know the existence of SF Symbols App.