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flowtables


Introduction

Welcome to the documentation for FlowTables, a powerful data table library for iOS development. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn how to integrate FlowTables into your project, understand its key features, and utilize its various functionalities to create interactive and highly customizable data tables.

Key Features:

  • Effortlessly create and display data tables in your iOS app
  • Support for various data types, including text, numbers, dates, and more
  • Customizable column widths, row heights, and cell formatting
  • Sorting and filtering capabilities to easily manipulate table data
  • Dynamic data loading and pagination for handling large datasets
  • Advanced styling options with support for themes and customization
  • Delegate and callback functions for handling user interactions


Installation

To begin using FlowTables in your iOS project, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Install using CocoaPods

To install FlowTables using CocoaPods, add the following line to your Podfile:


pod 'FlowTables'

Step 2: Import FlowTables

In your project’s source files where you want to use FlowTables, import the framework:


import FlowTables


Getting Started

Once you have successfully installed FlowTables in your project, follow the steps below to get started:

Step 1: Initialize FlowTable

To create a data table, you need to initialize a FlowTableViewController object:


let flowTableViewController = FlowTableViewController()

Step 2: Configure Data Source

Next, you need to define the data source for your table. Implement the FlowTableDataSource protocol to provide the necessary table data:

Example:



class MyDataSource: FlowTableDataSource {
func numberOfColumns() -> Int {
// Return the number of columns in your table
}

func numberOfRows() -> Int {
// Return the number of rows in your table
}

func dataForColumn(at columnIndex: Int, row rowIndex: Int) -> Any? {
// Return the data for a specific cell at the given column and row
}
}

Note: Make sure to replace MyDataSource with your custom data source class.

Step 3: Assign the Data Source

After defining the data source, assign it to the flowTableViewController instance:



flowTableViewController.dataSource = MyDataSource()


Customization

FlowTables provides several options for customizing the appearance and behavior of your data tables. Below are some essential methods and properties you can utilize:

Column Widths

You can adjust the width of individual columns by implementing the columnWidth(forColumnAtIndex:) method in your data source:

Example:



func columnWidth(forColumnAtIndex index: Int) -> CGFloat {
// Return the desired width for the given column index
}

Note: You can use dynamic sizing based on text length, or set fixed widths depending on your requirements.

Row Heights

Similarly, you can modify the height of individual rows in your table by implementing the rowHeight(forRowAt:) method in your data source:

Example:



func rowHeight(forRowAt index: Int) -> CGFloat {
// Return the desired height for the given row index
}

Note: You can also use dynamic row heights based on content or set fixed heights based on your needs.

Cell Formatting

To customize the appearance of individual cells, you can implement the configureCell(_:, forColumnAt:, andRowAt:) method:

Example:



func configureCell(_ cell: FlowTableCell, forColumnAt columnIndex: Int, andRowAt rowIndex: Int) {
// Customize the cell appearance based on column and row indices
}

Note: You can modify text color, background color, font, and other properties of the cell.


Advanced Features

In addition to the basic functionality, FlowTables offers advanced features that enhance the usability and interactivity of your data tables. Let’s explore some of these features:

Sorting and Filtering

You can enable column-based sorting and filtering in your tables. Implement the shouldSortData(byColumn:) and/or shouldFilterData(bySearchText:) methods in your data source to control the sorting and filtering behavior:

Example:



func shouldSortData(byColumn columnIndex: Int) -> Bool {
// Return true to enable sorting for the specified column index
}

func shouldFilterData(bySearchText searchText: String?) -> Bool {
// Return true to enable filtering with the given search text
}

Note: Implementing these methods allows users to sort the table data by clicking on column headers and search/filter the table based on user input.

Dynamic Data Loading

When working with large datasets, FlowTables supports dynamic data loading to improve performance and memory usage. Implement the loadData(page:) method in your data source to load data incrementally as the user scrolls through the table:

Example:



func loadData(page: Int) {
// Load the data for the specified page
}

Note: By using this method, you can fetch data from a remote server or perform any necessary operations to load data in chunks, providing a smoother user experience.


Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while using FlowTables, refer to the following troubleshooting guide:

Issue: Data Not Displaying Correctly

If your table data is not displayed as expected, ensure that:

  • Your data source methods are correctly implemented and returning the desired data.
  • The cell reuse identifier is properly set for your custom cell classes.
  • The table view is properly set as the subview of your view controller’s main view.
  • All required table view delegate methods are implemented based on your specific requirements.

Issue: Performance Problems

If you experience performance issues with large datasets or slow scrolling, consider the following:

  • Implement dynamic data loading to load data incrementally as discussed in the Advanced Features section.
  • Avoid performing heavy computations or data manipulations in data source methods simultaneously.
  • Ensure that you are using appropriate cell reuse to optimize memory usage.
  • Review and optimize any custom code related to cell configuration or table view operations.


Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned how to integrate and utilize FlowTables to create interactive and customizable data tables in your iOS app. With the provided documentation, you are well-equipped to explore the library’s features and tackle any challenges you may encounter. Happy coding!