How do I install PureLayout with CocoaPods?

Add `pod 'PureLayout'` to your Podfile, run `pod install`, and import the header. For Swift, use `import PureLayout` if frameworks are enabled, or add `#import "PureLayout.h"` to your bridging header, as detailed in the setup section.

PureLayout vs NSLayoutAnchor: which is better?

PureLayout offers backwards compatibility to older iOS/macOS versions and a more comprehensive API for batch operations, while NSLayoutAnchor is native but only available on iOS 9+/macOS 10.11+ and requires manual constraint activation. Choose based on your project's platform requirements.

How to center a view in its superview using PureLayout?

Call the `autoCenterInSuperview()` method on the view. For example, `view.autoCenterInSuperview()` creates and activates constraints to center it both horizontally and vertically, as demonstrated in the sample Swift code.

Does PureLayout work with iOS safe areas?

Yes, PureLayout supports safe areas with methods like `autoPinEdge(toSuperviewSafeArea:)` for iOS 11.0 and higher, allowing easy adaptation to device notches and bars, as mentioned in the API cheat sheet.

Can I use PureLayout in Objective-C projects?

Absolutely, PureLayout is written in Objective-C and fully compatible with both Objective-C and Swift, making it a versatile choice for mixed codebases or legacy apps, as stated in the compatibility notes.

How to update constraints dynamically with PureLayout?

Store the constraints returned by PureLayout methods, then modify their `constant` property or deactivate and recreate them as needed. PureLayout doesn't have built-in update methods, so you manage changes manually using native Auto Layout practices.

Open-Awesome

PureLayout

NOASSERTIONObjective-Cv3.1.9

A cross-platform Objective-C library providing a simple, powerful API for iOS and macOS Auto Layout, compatible with Swift.

GitHub

7.6k stars731 forks0 contributors

What is PureLayout?

PureLayout is an open-source library that provides a simplified, high-level API for Apple's Auto Layout system on iOS and macOS. It solves the problem of writing verbose and tedious Auto Layout code by offering concise methods that automatically create and activate constraints, making UI layout programming faster and more readable.

Target Audience

iOS and macOS developers who build user interfaces programmatically and want a cleaner, more maintainable way to use Auto Layout without relying on Interface Builder or verbose native APIs.

Value Proposition

Developers choose PureLayout because it offers a comprehensive, type-safe, and backwards-compatible API that feels native to Cocoa, works across both Objective-C and Swift, and significantly reduces the boilerplate associated with manual constraint creation.

Overview

The ultimate API for iOS & OS X Auto Layout — impressively simple, immensely powerful. Objective-C and Swift compatible.

Use Cases

Best For

Programmatically building complex UI layouts in iOS apps
Creating cross-platform UI code shared between iOS and macOS projects
Reducing verbosity and improving readability of Auto Layout code
Supporting older iOS/macOS versions while using modern Auto Layout features
Swift projects that need a clean, Objective-C-compatible layout library
Dynamically adjusting constraints at runtime with a simple API

Not Ideal For

Projects exclusively using SwiftUI or other declarative UI frameworks
Teams that rely heavily on Interface Builder for visual layout design
Developers preferring ultra-concise layout DSLs like SnapKit or Cartography

Pros & Cons

Pros

Concise and Intuitive API

Methods like `autoPinEdge` and `autoCenterInSuperview` replace verbose native Auto Layout code, making layout programming more readable and maintainable, as shown in the Swift sample code comparisons.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Works on both iOS and macOS with a single codebase, supporting Objective-C and Swift, which is emphasized in the README for shared project development.

Backwards Compatibility

Supports iOS 6.0+ and macOS 10.7+, ensuring it can be used in legacy projects while still leveraging Auto Layout features, as noted in the compatibility section.

Automatic Constraint Management

Constraints are automatically activated upon creation, reducing boilerplate code and minimizing manual installation errors, a key feature highlighted in the API overview.

Cons

Less Concise Than Modern DSLs

Compared to libraries like SnapKit or Cartography, PureLayout's API is more verbose, as admitted in the README's 'PureLayout vs. the rest' section, which may deter developers seeking minimal code.

Dependency on Objective-C Foundation

Being an Objective-C library, it can feel less idiomatic in pure Swift projects, especially with Swift's evolving syntax and features like SwiftUI, limiting seamless integration.

No Built-in Animation Support

PureLayout focuses on constraint creation but doesn't provide direct methods for animating layout changes, requiring developers to write additional native code for dynamic UI updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

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