How do I migrate from DiffableDataSources to Apple's native diffable data source?

Replace DiffableDataSources class names with Apple's equivalents (e.g., TableViewDiffableDataSource to UITableViewDiffableDataSource) and adjust for duplicate item restrictions. Use the README's naming table as a reference, but test thoroughly due to API nuances.

DiffableDataSources or IGListKit for iOS list updates?

DiffableDataSources is best for backporting Apple's API to older OS versions with a familiar pattern, while IGListKit offers more features like declarative components. Choose based on OS support and preference for Apple's design versus extended functionality.

How to handle cell selection with DiffableDataSources?

Implement standard UITableView or UICollectionView delegate methods separately, as the data source only manages diffing. The library doesn't change selection logic, so keep it in your view controller as with traditional setups.

Can I use DiffableDataSources with SwiftUI?

No, it's designed for UIKit and AppKit (UITableView/UICollectionView). For SwiftUI, use native tools like List with identifiable data or consider bridging via UIViewControllerRepresentable, but DiffableDataSources won't integrate directly.

What's the performance impact on large datasets?

It uses DifferenceKit's O(n) diffing, which is fast, but applying snapshots with thousands of items may cause UI lag. Profile your app and consider incremental updates or batch optimizations for heavy loads.

How to install DiffableDataSources with Swift Package Manager?

Add the package URL (https://github.com/ra1028/DiffableDataSources.git) and a version constraint to your Package.swift dependencies. Ensure your project meets Swift 5.0+ and platform requirements, then import the module.

Open-Awesome

DiffableDataSources

Apache-2.0Swift0.5.0

A library for backporting UITableView/UICollectionViewDiffableDataSource to older iOS/macOS/tvOS versions.

Visit Website GitHub

857 stars68 forks0 contributors

What is DiffableDataSources?

DiffableDataSources is a Swift library that backports Apple's UITableViewDiffableDataSource and UICollectionViewDiffableDataSource APIs to older iOS, macOS, and tvOS versions. It allows developers to manage and update table and collection view data with automatic diffing and animations, solving the problem of OS version constraints for modern UI development.

Target Audience

iOS, macOS, and tvOS developers who need to support older OS versions but want to use modern diffable data source patterns in their apps.

Value Proposition

Developers choose DiffableDataSources because it provides a nearly identical API to Apple's official implementation, is powered by the fast and reliable DifferenceKit engine, and avoids synchronization bugs and crashes while enabling smooth UI updates.

Overview

💾 A library for backporting UITableView/UICollectionViewDiffableDataSource.

Use Cases

Best For

Supporting diffable data sources in apps with a low minimum OS version target
Upgrading legacy UITableView/UICollectionView code to use modern data source patterns
Implementing complex, animated list updates without manual index path calculations
Ensuring UI consistency across different iOS/macOS/tvOS versions
Avoiding common data synchronization bugs in dynamic list interfaces
Adopting declarative UI updates in older Swift projects

Not Ideal For

Projects exclusively targeting iOS 13+ and macOS 10.15+ where Apple's native diffable data sources are available
Teams that mandate strict adherence to Apple's official APIs without third-party dependencies
Apps requiring cross-platform support beyond Apple ecosystems (e.g., Android or web)
Simple use cases where manual data source management suffices and library overhead isn't justified

Pros & Cons

Pros

Broad OS Compatibility

Supports iOS 9.0+, macOS 10.11+, and tvOS 9.0+, enabling modern diffable data source functionality on older systems without OS upgrades.

Automatic Diffing Engine

Uses DifferenceKit for O(n) diffing to calculate updates and animate changes automatically, avoiding common synchronization bugs and crashes.

Duplicate Item Support

Allows duplicate sections or items, unlike Apple's official API, providing more flexibility in data modeling for complex scenarios.

Familiar API Design

Mirrors Apple's diffable data source API with similar class names and usage patterns, making adoption intuitive for developers.

Cons

API Naming Differences

Uses different class names (e.g., TableViewDiffableDataSource vs UITableViewDiffableDataSource) to avoid conflicts, which can cause confusion when migrating to or from native APIs.

Third-Party Dependency

Relies on DifferenceKit as an underlying engine, adding external library overhead and potential maintenance risks compared to Apple's built-in solution.

Limited Platform Scope

Exclusively for Apple platforms (iOS, macOS, tvOS); unsuitable for projects requiring server-side rendering, SwiftUI, or non-Apple ecosystems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

IGListKit

A data-driven UICollectionView framework for building fast and flexible lists.

Stars13,064

Forks1,542

Last commit3 days ago

folding-cell

:octocat: 📃 FoldingCell is an expanding content cell with animation made by @Ramotion

Stars10,202

Forks1,141

Last commit2 years ago

SwipeCellKit

Swipeable UITableViewCell/UICollectionViewCell based on the stock Mail.app, implemented in Swift.

Stars6,288

Forks810

Last commit1 year ago

CollectionKit

Reimagining UICollectionView

Stars4,514

Forks265

Last commit3 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