Can you reference Xib files from static libraries on the iPhone?

Question

In my app, i currently have all my code separated into a static library, to make it easier to set up the xcode project targets for the actual app and for unit tests for my code. The problem with this is that i want to put most of my xib files in the static library as well, but it seems that when i run my app and try to reference the xib it can't find it unless it is included in the actual app's target instead of the static library target. Is it possible to have xib files and other resources included in static libraries that can be referenced by code in that same library, and if so, how?

Answer 1

No it isn't possible, because a static library is not the same as a "bundle".

A bundle is a directory that may contain all manner of files including resource files (xib), executable files and static libraries. It exists on the filesystem as a group of individual files.

A static library is a single file that contains classes, code and variables that were linked together by the library creator. It does not "contain" other files, it is essentially a database of compiled code.

Although it would be possible to put the data for the xibs in there, Xcode would have no way of knowing that it was in there, as it looks for them as individual files on the filesystem.

In Mac OS, you may create a "Framework" which is essentially a bundle of code, resources, settings etc which may be reused by multiple projects. However, Apple does not seem to support custom framework creation for iPhone OS.

Bundles http://developer.apple.com/iphone/library/documentation/CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFBundles/CFBundles.html

Static Libraries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_library

Answer 2

Reply to comment (won't fit in comment box)

No worries, I've been trying to do pretty much the same thing as you for the last week - I'd like to ship a "framework" of xibs, include files and .a libs to a client without giving them all the source code. I couldn't find a good way to do this with bundles either.

For whatever reason, Apple are being particularly obtuse about this - I can't see a reason for them to be so in the case of static libraries (dynamic libraries fair enough).

My solution for now is to manually create a package folder "Foo" that contains the following subfolders:

1. "include" -> put .h files here
2. "res" -> put .xib files here
3. "lib" -> contains "iphoneos" & "iphonesimulator" subfolders each with libFoo.a

Then zip this up and send to the client. The client then:

1. Unzips the package where ever they like.
2. Adds the "res" folder under the resources group.
3. Changes the following target settings:
   Other Linker Flags = -Objc -lfoo
   Header Search Paths = /include
   Library Search Paths = /lib/$(PLATFORM_NAME)
   

I can probably automate the package creation with some build steps at my end, but the client is stuck with four slightly fiddly steps to get set up.

Answer 3

When distributing you could also create an SDK. JSON.framework did this in their SVN, and I successfully replicated this. You can see how this was done in http://hltypes.svn.sf.net/ in the hltypes-ios.xcodeproj and the iOS folder in the project.

Primarily you need to "install" into your build folder, and then you need to copy the specially formatted SDKSettings.plist. Then add the path to the SDK into "Additional SDKs" list in application project. Downside of composite SDKs are the need to restart Xcode 3.x whenever this mini-SDK is updated, and Xcode's insistence on constructing a composite SDK created from Apple's base SDK and your mini-SDK (which means you need to wait quite a bit).

Application project still needs to have .xib and other resources manually added.