Question 1

How do I add external libraries to an Xcode Playground with nef?

Accepted Answer

Use 'nef playground' with options like --podfile or --cartfile to specify dependencies. For example, create a Podfile listing libraries and run 'nef playground --podfile ./Podfile' to generate a playground with those dependencies integrated.

Question 2

What's the difference between nef and vanilla Xcode Playgrounds?

Accepted Answer

nef extends vanilla playgrounds by adding support for third-party libraries, command-line compilation for CI, iPad Playground Book creation, and documentation export. Vanilla playgrounds lack these features and are limited to basic prototyping without external dependencies.

Question 3

Can I use nef on Linux or Windows?

Accepted Answer

No, nef is designed exclusively for macOS and iPad, as it relies on Xcode and Apple's playground infrastructure. For cross-platform Swift development, you'd need alternative tools or environments.

Question 4

How to compile playgrounds in continuous integration with nef?

Accepted Answer

Run 'nef compile --project <path>' in your CI script. This command builds the playground with dependencies, allowing you to verify code correctness automatically, and supports caching with --use-cache for efficiency.

Question 5

Does nef work with Swift Package Manager dependencies?

Accepted Answer

Yes, nef supports Swift Package Manager for creating playgrounds and iPad Playground Books. Use commands like 'nef playground' with SPM or 'nef ipad --package' to specify a Package.swift file.

Question 6

nef or Jazzy for generating Swift documentation?

Accepted Answer

nef is better for documentation derived from Xcode Playgrounds with compilable examples and Markdown export, while Jazzy focuses on generating API documentation from source code comments. Choose nef if you need playground-based, verified docs; otherwise, Jazzy for traditional API docs.

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