iOS Auto Layout Demystified

Auto Layout re-imagines the way developers create user interfaces. It provides a flexible and power- ful system that describes how views and their content relate to each other and to the superviews they occupy. In contrast to older design approaches, this technology offers incredible control over layout, with a wider range of customization than you can get with frames, springs, and struts. Auto Layout has garnered both a loyal user base and fanatical detractors. Its reputation for diffi- culty and frustration, particularly when used through Interface Builder (IB), are occasionally merited. Although Xcode 5 vastly improves that situation (by doing away with several baffling and alienating features), this is a technology that continues to evolve toward full maturity. Auto Layout is a fantastic tool. It does things that earlier technologies could never dream of. From edge case handling to creation of reciprocal relationships between views, Auto Layout introduces immense power. What’s more, Auto Layout is compatible with many of Apple’s most exciting application programming interfaces (APIs), including animations, motion effects, and sprites. That’s why this book exists. You’re about to learn Auto Layout mastery by example, with plenty of explanations and tips. Instead of struggling with class documentation, you’ll read, in simple steps, how the system works, how to tweak it to make it work better, and why Auto Layout is far more powerful than many developers realize. You’ll discover common design scenarios and discover best practices that make Auto Layout a pleasure rather than a chore to use.