Definition of Swift forms
By the use of Swift forms, we can create forms that are interactive, easy to made by adding only a few lines in the code. In order to create forms in swift we have to use one external library which is written in swift only, this library provides great support to create forms in swift before using it we have to add this in our project. By the use of forms, we can create our own cells, use already defined cells as well. In the coming section, we will see how to include this in our application to make best use of it, and see everything in detail.
Syntax:
As we already discussed we have to use ‘SwiftForms’ library in order to create forms in swift, this is an external library that we need to import before using it. Let’s see its syntax how to define and create a form for better understanding see below;
var variable_name = FormDescriptor()
In the above line of syntax as you can see we are using FormDescriptor() to create the instance here. This class would be available by the SwiftForms library, once you add it then only we can access the classes and everything available inside it. We just have to give the variable_name after this, it can be used to access the various element available inside it to design our form in Swift. Let’s see one practice syntax to understand it better see below;
e.g. :
var myform = FormDescriptor()
myform.title = "Any title you want"
This is a sample syntax to use one of the attributes available in the FormDescriptor instance. In the coming section, we will see how to create a full form for user to enter data in detail that will be helpful for beginners to understand and start using it in real-life application of swift.
How to work forms in Swift?
As of now we already know that forms are used to design a create interactive pages for user in Swift. Where we can ask user to enter data and that can be processed for further use. We can design login page, registration pages, list show pages, data rendering pages by the use of SwiftForms library. This is not ab inbuild feature available in Swift rather we have to include one extern library for it that library is named ‘SwiftForms’ this is also written in Swift language only, also it is very easy to use, optimize the code because by using very few lines of code we can design a good form. Let’s see how and what steps which are needed to follow in order to use this library inside our application in Swift see below;
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Steps to follow:
1) Minimum requirement to setup this is ios 8.0 or above version
2) After this we have to install ‘cocoapods’. This is a dependency manager by the use of it we can easy handle it. This provides support for swift frameworks. We are mentioning one simple command below which will help you to install the ‘cocoapods’ on your system, see below;
cmd:
a) gem install cocoapods
It will take a few minutes to install t.
3) Once ‘cocoapods’ is installed on your machine we have to make some configuration in our project in order to use SwiftForms in our application. If we do not do this configuration we will not be able to use SwiftForms in our application. Got to your podfile and done the configuration which are mentioned below ;
pod 'SwiftForms'
4) After this we have to install pod in our application, in order to install it we have to run the following command see below;
a) pod install
5) open you Cartfile and try to add the below lines mentioned,
"ortuman/SwiftForms" :: rom ofical github documentation
Try to update it after the addition changes run below command;
a) Carthage update
Do not skip any of the step mentioned otherwise it will not work. We have to have IOS setup or environment on our machine in order to run the application.
In this, we can define section, row, and other cells as per the requirement. Let’s discuss each of them in detail see below;
1) section: This will create a section in your form. Inside this, we can create our field, cells, or anything we want But in order to use this, we have to use ‘FormSectionDescriptor’ this will be available once we have derived ‘FormViewController’ in our class. By the use of ‘FormSectionDescriptor’, we can create its instance and use it to have a section on forms. Let’s see its syntax for better understanding see below;
e.g. :
var variable_name = FormSectionDescriptor()
As you can see we are creating instance of section here using ‘FormSectionDescriptor’ after this inside this section we can define our fields, rows, etc.
2) Row: By using SwiftForms library we can use ‘rows’ to properly define our forms structure in SwiftForms. To create a row we also have one class available from FormViewController that we have to use name das ‘FormRowDescriptor’. This class helps us to create rows in SwiftForms which is very easy to use and define. Let’s see its syntax for better understanding see below;
e.g. :
var variable_name = FormRowDescriptor(tag: "", rowType: , title: "")
As you can see while creating its instance it takes three parameters as the input param here. Let’s discuss each of them in detail see below;
- a) tag: This is used to assign a tag to the row. This can be anything of our choice.
- b) row type: This define type of the row, what it will be.
- c) title: This is used to define a title for the row which makes it easy for a user to understand row purpose.
3) To append row in Section: Once we have created the row Ans section instance successfully we have to append row into the section, then only it will be visible inside the section otherwise it will not be visible on form. To append them we have one method named as ‘append()’ can be call on the section instance. Let’s see one sample syntax for better understanding see below;
e.g. :
section_instance.rows.append(your_row_instance)
In the above line of code as you can see we are using section instance to append the row in section, we just have to pass the row instance inside it.
In the same way, we can create as many section and rows we want to display on the form using SwiftForms library. Once we are done with this we have to add a section on form instance so it will be display on the form. For this, we have one method named ‘section’ available on form instance. Let’s see its syntax for better understanding and its usage see below;
e.g. :
your_form_instance.sections = [your section1, your section2, your section3 , and so on]
In this way, we can add a section to the form and display it. If you are using SwiftForms library then you have to follow the above-mentioned steps in order to run it.
Example
In this example we are trying to use Swiftforms library FormViewController to create forms in Swift. But make sure you have the proper environment setup on your machine otherwise it will not work on your machine. Also, add the dependency to make it work.
Code:
class DemoControllerForms: FormViewController {
var myformdemo = FormDescriptor()
myformdemo.title = "Demo to show forms in swift .."
var section1 = FormSectionDescriptor()
var row1 = FormRowDescriptor(tag: "email", rowType: .Email, title: "Uer Email")
section1.rows.append(row1)
var section2 = FormSectionDescriptor()
var row2 = FormRowDescriptor(tag: "name", rowType: .Name, title: "User Name")
section2.rows.append(row2)
myformdemo.sections = [section1, section2]
self.myformdemo = myformdemo
}
Output:
Conclusion
In swift forms can easily be created by using the SwiftForms library. If you want to run your project then you should have a proper environment setup on your machine, also the dependency for SwiftForms also added properly otherwise it will not run and compile.
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