iPad Template
Why this app?
One of the irritations of creating apps is the amount of boilerplate code you write time after time. Apple do their best to help by providing templates to get you started but those templates are very basic.
You can create custom templates using the same templating system that Apple do. However, these templates are very difficult to create once you stray from basic content. It is a very deep rabbit hole that can consume you for days. The end result will be flexible but, given the lack of documentation, the end result can also be fragile and subject to whatever changes Apple choose to implement.
i wanted a more reliable solution that was easier to maintain. To do that I took the simple route of creating a working iPad app with the facilities I wanted already coded and to use that as the basis of a template.
This is what this project represents. I now have a complete and working iPad app that I can clone from GitHub and rename, saving myself many hours of repeatative coding and providing me with a consistent layout for my projects.
Key Learning Points
What did I want to achieve?
The aims are simple;
- A clonable iPad template app.
- Implementation of a basic NavigationSplitView architecture.
- A pre-coded About popup.
- A pre-coded Settings framework.
- A launch screen that adapts to portrait and landscape orientation.
I was very surprised to find that the games came over very easily. I created the framework project in the iPad sources and just copied the files from the Mac. They just ran... mostly.
What it looks like
And the end result is...
When the app starts, it displays a launch screen. This orients itself based on whether the device is landscape or portrait.
One the launch screen clears, the template window opens in a standard NavigationSplitView.
Where is it?
Can I have a copy?
The source for the iPad temoplate is available on my GitHub page in the iPad Template repo.
Testimonials
Am I really any good?
Don't take my word for my abilities, take a look at other peoples opinions about me.
One very quickly runs out of superlatives with Steve. He is the cleverest person I know. He is highly innovative, passionate regarding the proper maintenance of agreed standards and protocols and establishes excellent relationships with our clients.
Steve is a rare developer resource who is able to provide a good breakdown of technical solutions for all audiences to understand... Steve understands the importance of project deliverable's both from a client and business perspective and shows a personal pride in ensuring the delivery schedules are met.
I have worked closely with Steve for his time with us and long before we formed our company. His technical ability far out-performs anyone I have known or met in companies we have worked with like IBM/EDS/Cap Gemini
Steven showed a great deal of commitment and skill when he worked with me. His attention to detail, comprehensive documentation and well thought out code, using very impressive technical standards meant that it was always possible to rely on the solutions provided being top notch. Steven is an asset to any company, at any level - if I were able to, I'd love to work with him again.
I have had the pleasure of working with Steven for several years in my role as CTO. He his one to the most multi-disciplined technically skilled developers I have known but what sets him apart is his eye for, and attention to detail, particularly when considering the user experience. I would absolutely not hesitate in recommending Steven.