How do I use Buffer with a UICollectionView in Swift?

Initialize a CollectionViewDiffAdapter with your Buffer instance and set it as the data source, similar to the TableView adapter example. This automatically applies diffs to the collection view when the source array changes.

Buffer vs IGListKit: which should I use for Swift?

Buffer is a Swift-native micro-framework with similar diffing capabilities, ideal for pure Swift projects wanting lightweight integration. IGListKit is more mature but written in Objective-C++, so Buffer offers a cleaner Swift alternative with UIKit focus.

Can Buffer handle real-time sorting and filtering of data?

Yes, Buffer supports optional sort and filter closures that transform the source array before diffing, allowing dynamic data manipulations without manual UI updates, as demonstrated in the initialization code.

What are the BufferDelegate methods and when are they called?

BufferDelegate provides callbacks like buffer(willChangeContent:) and buffer(didInsertElementsAtIndices:), triggered after array updates to handle UI changes. They mirror UITableView update patterns for granular control.

Is Buffer compatible with SwiftUI or only UIKit?

Buffer is designed solely for UIKit components like UITableView and UICollectionView. For SwiftUI, you'd need to use UIKit representables or alternative state management solutions, as Buffer doesn't support it natively.

How does Buffer perform with very large datasets?

Buffer uses an efficient diff algorithm from IGListKit, which minimizes computation and UI updates, but performance can vary with complex sort/filter closures. Always profile with your specific data size and update frequency.

Open-Awesome

Buffer

NOASSERTIONSwift2.1

A Swift micro-framework for efficient array diffs, collection observation, and UITableView/UICollectionView data source adapters.

GitHub

349 stars13 forks0 contributors

What is Buffer?

Buffer is a Swift micro-framework that efficiently computes differences between arrays and synchronizes data changes with UIKit components like UITableView and UICollectionView. It solves the problem of manually managing collection updates by automating diff calculations and providing built-in adapters. This reduces boilerplate code and ensures optimal performance when handling dynamic data in iOS and macOS apps.

Target Audience

iOS and macOS developers building apps with complex, dynamic lists or collections that require efficient UI updates. It's particularly useful for those working with UITableView or UICollectionView who want to simplify data source management.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Buffer for its efficient diff algorithm, which minimizes UI updates, and its built-in adapters that eliminate manual index path calculations. Its modular design allows flexibility, from low-level diff management to high-level declarative table views.

Overview

Swift μ-framework for efficient array diffs and datasource adapters.

Use Cases

Best For

Synchronizing UITableView with dynamically changing data sources
Building efficient UICollectionView updates with minimal UI recalculation
Implementing declarative, state-driven table views in Swift
Reducing boilerplate code for collection observation in iOS apps
Handling complex sorting and filtering in list-based UIs
Porting IGListKit-like diffing behavior to pure Swift projects

Not Ideal For

SwiftUI-based projects, as Buffer is designed exclusively for UIKit components like UITableView and UICollectionView.
Apps with static, non-dynamic lists where array diffing overhead adds unnecessary complexity.
Teams already using IGListKit in Objective-C++ projects, since Buffer is a similar but Swift-native alternative with overlapping functionality.
Cross-platform projects targeting tvOS or watchOS, as Buffer only supports iOS and macOS.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Efficient Diff Algorithm

Uses a port of IGListKit's diff algorithm to compute minimal changes between array states, reducing UI updates and improving performance for dynamic lists.

Built-in UI Adapters

Provides TableViewDiffAdapter and CollectionViewDiffAdapter that automatically apply diffs to UIKit components, eliminating manual index path calculations as shown in the adapter example code.

Declarative TableView Abstraction

Offers Buffer.TableView for a state-driven, component-oriented approach to table view configuration, simplifying UI management with model-based row definitions.

Flexible API Design

Supports different abstraction levels from low-level diff management to high-level adapters, with optional sort and filter closures for array transformations before diffing.

Cons

Deprecated Dependency Management

The README explicitly notes that CocoaPods and Carthage installations are deprecated, which complicates integration and may indicate reduced maintenance or modern tooling gaps.

Limited to UIKit

Buffer only supports UITableView and UICollectionView, making it incompatible with SwiftUI or other modern Apple UI frameworks without additional bridging work.

Manual Framework Integration

Primary installation involves downloading via curl and dragging the framework, which is cumbersome compared to Swift Package Manager or up-to-date dependency managers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Swift Algorithm Club

Algorithms and data structures in Swift, with explanations!

Stars29,072

Forks4,936

Last commit1 year ago

Dollar

A functional tool-belt for Swift Language similar to Lo-Dash or Underscore.js in Javascript

Stars4,233

Forks361

Last commit2 years ago

DifferenceKit

💻 A fast and flexible O(n) difference algorithm framework for Swift collection.

Stars3,666

Forks242

Last commit3 months ago

Result

Swift type modelling the success/failure of arbitrary operations.

Stars2,483

Forks227

Last commit5 years ago

Community-curated · Updated weekly · 100% open source

Found a gem we're missing?

Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.

Submit a project Star on GitHub