I planned to write a series of “How Do I…”s with Facebook Connect. Certainly the primary target is YOU but it will also work as a reference to me as well

The first article will be on publishing a feed.

So lets start…!

App Requirement Spec

1. Option to login/logout to Facebook
2. Option to publish a feed with:
   • With an image with link
   • Action link

Get FacebookAgent code

Checkout the latest code from Google Code project. The checkout url is:

svn checkout http://iphone-facebook-twitter-connect-easy-integration-tool.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ iphone-facebook-twitter-connect-easy-integration-tool-read-only

Create a project

Open up the xcode project and create a view based application; name it “FacebookFeedPublish”

Add FacebookAgent code to project

Right click on the project. Select Add->Existing File. Select the “xutils” folder from the checked out code.

Do not copy.

Add JSON libraries

Right click on the project. Select Add->Existing File. Select the “JSON” folder from the checked out xutils-example project.

Do not copy this either.

Build the project. It should build with no error.

Initialize FacebookAgent

Edit FacebookPublishFeedAppDelegate.m.

import FacebookAgent.h at the top.

#import FacebookAgent.h

Add the following line in applicationDidFinishLaunching method:

// initiazlie FacebookAgent
[[FacebookAgent sharedAgent]  initializeWithApiKey:@"YOUR_API_KEY"
							ApiSecret:@"YOUR_API_SECRET"
							ApiProxy:nil];

You have to put your Facebook Application api key and secret. Just incase you are not sure about this, create a Facebook application from http://www.facebook.com/developers/createapp.php. After creating one, you will get api key and secret. Copy and paste those value in the above code.

Prepare FacebookConnectDelegate handler

We can use FacebookAgent in multiple view controllers. Very likely we will use it in many places. We have to override and define many delegate methods in each view controllers where we like to use FacebookAgent.

To simplify the process, we well create a UIViewController subclass which will define all the FacebookAgentDelegate methods. Our view controller class will extend this class and override only the required ones.

Add a new file of UIViewController subclass. Name it MyCustomController.

Uncheck “With xib for user interface”.

Implement FacebookAgentDelegate protocol:

#import "FacebookAgent.h"

@interface MyCustomController : UIViewController {

}

Now define the protocol methods:

#pragma mark FacebookAgentDelegate
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent statusChanged:(BOOL) success{}
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent didLoadInfo:(NSDictionary*) info{}
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent didLoadFriendList:(NSArray*) data onlyAppUsers:(BOOL)yesOrNo{}
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent didLoadPermissions:(NSArray*) data{}
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent didLoadFQL:(NSArray*) data{}
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent permissionGranted:(FacebookAgentPermission)permission{}
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent photoUploaded:(NSString*) pid{}
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent requestFaild:(NSString*) message{}
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent loginStatus:(BOOL) loggedIn{}
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent dialog:(FBDialog*)dialog didFailWithError:(NSError*)error{}

Then edit FacebookPublishFeedViewController.h file and make it extend to the newly created class:

Build the project, it should build without any error.

Enable login/logout option

Add a button to the view. Set its image for default state “Connect_iphone.png”.

Press ‘cmd + =’ to adjust the size.

Set selected state button “Logout_iphone.png”.

These images are downloaded from Facebook site and available in FacebookAgent code base.

Connecting the button

Edit FacebookPublishFeedViewController class.

Create an IBOutlet connect it with the button.
Then create an IBAction method and set it as button onTouchUpInside handler.

#import
#import "MyCustomController.h"

@interface FacebookPublishFeedViewController : MyCustomController {
	UIButton* btnFbConnect;
}
- (IBAction)OnFBConnect:(id)sender;
@property(nonatomic, retain) IBOutlet UIButton* btnFbConnect;
@end

In OnFBConnect method we will login to facebook. If already connected we will sign out. So, method definition will be like this:

#pragma mark actions
- (IBAction)OnFBConnect:(id)sender{
	if([[FacebookAgent sharedAgent] isLoggedIn]){
		[[FacebookAgent sharedAgent] logout];
	}else {
		[[FacebookAgent sharedAgent] login];
	}
}

Update connect button state

Override the following method like below in FacebookPublishFeedViewController class:

#pragma mark FacebookAgentDelegate method
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent loginStatus:(BOOL) loggedIn{
	if(loggedIn){
		btnFbConnect.selected = YES;
	}else {
		btnFbConnect.selected = NO;
	}
}

This code will update the button image according to login status.

Run the app and connect to Facebook by clicking the button…. Oops button state is not changed! Add the following line in MyCustomController class viewLoaded method:

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];
	[FacebookAgent sharedAgent].delegate = self;
}

Now build and run… after login or logout now button image is updated accordingly.

Publish Feed

Add another Round button and add touch up inside handler in FacebookPublishFeedViewController class in this way:

- (IBAction)OnFBPublishFeed:(id)sender{
	[[FacebookAgent sharedAgent] publishFeedWithName:@"Hello Facebook!"
			captionText:@"This is a test publish"
			imageurl:@"http://xapplab.com/images/appss/puzzleshot/puzzleshot-icon.png"
			 linkurl:@"http://itunes.apple.com/app/puzzleshot/id343659310?mt=8"
			userMessagePrompt:@"Whats on your mind?"
			actionLabel:@"Play PuzzleShot"
			actionText:@"PuzzleShot!"
			actionLink:@"http://itunes.apple.com/app/puzzleshot/id343659310?mt=8"];
}

The feed will look this:

Thats it!

Next article will be on showing logged in user information and image. But let me manage some time first

Download the project source :FacebookPublishFeed.zip

Don’t forget to change api key and secret to run the project correctly!

XAuth was not used in my classes,  hope to integrate soon.

Till then please use this: https://github.com/vodkhang/Twitter-XAuth-and-Sharing

Vodkhang used the UI used in TwitterAgent with XAuth.

XAuth was not used in my classes,  hope to integrate soon.
Till then please use this: https://github.com/vodkhang/Twitter-XAuth-and-SharingVodkhang used the UI used in TwitterAgent with XAuth.

TwitterAgent is updated and a new feature is added by your request. I received some requests on multiple login option for TwitterAgent and updated the agent there by. Now a logout option is added to login again with a different userid.

Add twitter agent code to your project

You can checkout the latest code from the google project or can use the folder available in attached demo project below.
Paste the xutils folder into your project directory.

Now, right click on the project in xcode and add the xutils folder.

Add SBJSON

SBJSON is also required for the project. You can have one copy of sbjson source in the attached project.

Add twit code

Add a button and in its event handler method add the following lines:

[[TwitterAgent defaultAgent] twit];

After logging in, you will find a new button available on top right corner, that is the logout button!

TwitterAgent Logout option

On the next version, there will be option to manage batch twit account! Don’t forget to check back soon!

Download Demo project

GET THE LATEST CODE FROM HERE: http://code.google.com/p/iphone-facebook-twitter-connect-easy-integration-tool/
PLEASE JOIN THE PROJECT

This project is now obsolete since I found facebook released a great class!!check out here : http://github.com/facebook/facebook-ios-sdk

I am very grateful to all you people who posted feedback, mailed me inspiring notes and now reading the blog

Some of you were asking for shared object support so that facebook agent can be used from multiple view controllers. I really liked the idea and shared object is introduced in this release.

Besides, I have been invited to be a co-author on a new book by Hasin Hayder. This book will be on facebook connect and I will contribute the iphone integration chapter. I was really honored and thought to implement some more features in facebookagent and now there is option to get user info, friendlist and also you can now run fql

Here is a short description how to use in new way.

Firstly, On the AppDelegate class, initialize facebookagent shared object on applicationdidfinishlaunching method:

- (void)applicationDidFinishLaunching:(UIApplication *)application {
	[[FacebookAgent sharedAgent] initializeWithApiKey:@"YOUR API KEY"
	ApiSecret:@"YOUR_API SECRET"
	ApiProxy:nil];
 ...
...
...
}

Now, set the facebookagent delegate to the view controller object in which you want to call a function:

[[FacebookAgent sharedAgent] setDelegate:self];

Then call the function you wish:

	[[FacebookAgent sharedAgent] publishFeedWithName:@"Hellow world"
	captionText:@"how are you?"
	imageurl:@"http://amanpages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/logo2.png"
	linkurl:@"http://amanpages.com/"
	userMessagePrompt:@"What do i think:"];

Don’t forget to override the FacebookAgentDelegate method in the view controller class.

Some new delegate method is added like:

- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent permissionGranted:(FacebookAgentPermission)permission;
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent didLoadFQL:(NSArray*) data;
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent didLoadPermissions:(NSArray*) data;
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent didLoadInfo:(NSDictionary*) info;
- (void) facebookAgent:(FacebookAgent*)agent didLoadFriendList:(NSArray*) data onlyAppUsers:(BOOL)yesOrNo;

And some new facebookagent function is also added:

- (void)getMyFriendList:(BOOL)onlyAppUsers;
- (void)getPermissions;
- (void)grantPermission:(FacebookAgentPermission)type;
- (void)runFQL:(NSString*)fql;
- (BOOL)hasPermission:(FacebookAgentPermission)type;

- (NSString*)getUserName;
- (NSString*)getUserProfileSquareImage;
- (NSString*)getUserProfileImage;

I will be adding detailed tutorial soon, till then is it. Check out the code from google project.

Personally I created a UIViewController subclass where all the delegate methods are added. Then extended this class by all the viewcontrollers needing facebook agent and overridden the required ones only.

I will really appreciate if you join this project and give any sort of update, bug report or even feedback.

Btw, do I need to mention again:
PLEASE REMEMBER THESE CODE IS NOT FULLY TESTED ON DEVICES AND MAY CRASH, USE IT ON YOUR OWN RISK!

Cheers.

When I was at school I hardly used any computer, let alone latest gadgets… if there were any! But now days have changed. So changed the technology, people and of course young people. Perhaps, the young ones change most rapidly, they are becoming more intelligent, smart and tech loving. For example, if you are not sure about something on your newly bought gadget, as an example, iPad, ask you son, younger brother or a kid nearby, be sure they will get it!

Why should not they? Technology became an important integral part of School system. Not only to the system but also with the students. Education is much friendly and effective by the use proper devices especially computers, notebooks and also gadgets like iPad. My school going cousin came to visit me last month. His parent gave him netbook and he is using it for education purpose. While his visit, we had lots of fun together, yet he did not need to cease his science project work with his other teammates. The netbook helped connected them!

One of my fellow workers bought an iPad recently. He shared with a laugh, before he could get along with the device; his 8-year son downloaded some educational app from the app store, which includes graphic calculator, memory test, vocabulary apps and some other! Certainly this made teaching more interesting and fun.

Now its time for our schools and teachers to embrace technology more in educating the students. A lesson, a workshop, demonstration or teaching can be more effective and reach into the pupil mind by the support of proper technology and tools. Not sure how to do that? Don’t worry, there are experts like school technology who are showing schools and teachers how to successfully integrate the right education technology into their lessons. Lets try technology!

For my personal use I wrote few classes for sharing feeds on facebook and twitter. Though these classes are not well tested yet but I shared them from this site.

I was very excited and inspired by many people who used it, thanked me, reported bugs and even some gave me fixes with feature idea. I gratefully thank them all.

Now, I think if I alone want to maintain these code, it may not be good enough. So I ask for your help. Please join this project and lets help many other people who are using it including ourselves.

If you are interested to join, visit the the project on google code:http://code.google.com/p/iphone-facebook-twitter-connect-easy-integration-tool/

You can also send me private message to my email address which can be found on the project home.

Thanks for your perticipation

If you google this question, you will find many answers. Some says yes, some says no. Here I am showing the results using instrument ObjectAlloc graph.

Background:

I have to use a view controller with a xib. The xib should have a button which need to be connected to an outlet in the view controller.

Best Practice:

In the view controller .h file, declare a UIButton* and a property like below:

UIButton* btnButton;

...

@property(nonatomic, retain) IBOutlet UIButton* btnButton;

in the .m file synthesize and release the button in the dealloc function like:

@sysnthesize btnButton

...

- (void) dealloc{

btnButton =nil;

[super release];

}

Now, using in the interface builder connect the button.

What happens now:

As said in the apple documentation :

Each time you ask the NSBundle or NSNib class to load a nib file, the underlying code creates a new copy of the objects in that file and returns them to you. The nib-loading code does not recycle nib file objects from a previous load attempt. Because each set of objects is a new copy, your code is responsible for releasing those objects when it is done with them. How you release the objects depends on the platform and on the memory model in use. Table 2-1 lists the supported platform and memory model configurations and the nib retention behavior associated with each one.

…bla bla…

Objects in the nib file are created with a retain count of 1 and then autoreleased. As it rebuilds the object hierarchy, however, UIKit reestablishes connections between the objects using the setValue:forKey: method, which uses the available setter method or retains the object by default if no setter method is available. If you define outlets for nib-file objects, you should also define a setter method for accessing that outlet. Setter methods for outlets should retain their values, and setter methods for outlets containing top-level objects must retain their values to prevent them from being deallocated. If you do not store the top-level objects in outlets, you must retain either the array returned by the loadNibNamed:owner:options: method or the objects inside the array to prevent those objects from being released prematurely.

How we practice often:

In the view controller .h file, declare a UIButton* and a property like below:

IBOutlet UIButton* btnButton;

in the .m file synthesize and release the button in the dealloc function like:

- (void) dealloc{

[btnButton release]; // should we need to do this?!!

[super release];

}

What’s the question?!!

The question is that if we really need to release the btnButton in the dealloc method.

well, we can go on discussion and ultimately we may find that YES, we need to. The outlets should be released in the dealloc. Backing up this conclusion I created a simple project with two view controller one having 6 button connected as mentioned last.

If we  release in the dealloc method, we can see that memory foot print remains the same after closing the last view.

outlest are released in the dealloc method

Now, if we don’t release the outlets or simply assign them nil value we will find memory footprint is increased! See the image below:

outlets are not released or assigned nil value

Conclusion:

We better release the outlets in the dealloc method.

Actually rom the memory management point of view, it doesn’t matter whether you use property or instance variable of IBOutlet. In fact,
IBOutlet does nothing but a help to the Interface builder finding the connectors. Behind the seen, same thing happens for both the way, so you have to release any outlets in the dealloc method.

Download  the Sample Project demonstrating memory footprint for outlets.

On 12 Feb I completed my two years in Trippert Labs though technically little short of two years in trippert since it was acquired by PlayDom recently.

First of all, I thank Raju vai aka The Hungrycoder to arrange an occasion where I met Hasin vai. I am really grateful to this man to recruit me in Trippert Labs… credits goes to my collection of technical books, not my knowledge . That was 12th February, 2008.

I was a c++ developer and just before joining I was working at Uniqa as Team Lead in a settop box app on embedded linux platform.
After joining at trippert he guided me to learn PHP… what could be a better opportunity learning this language!?

In my first project I worked with Junal vai and Anupom vai, they were very supporting and helped me to learn the new technology.

I found a very different environment here… very friendly, very cooperating. Trippert believes in self responsibility. We work, we play … we enjoy every bit together. Trippert labs offers the best environment in BD, i dunno about other country. Its the environment which gave me the freedom to be myself as whatever I am.  Every one is has a big heart and great mind.

Anyway, lots of memory… lets share something about some of us now (random order):

Sagar: The crack-head-freak. All the new comers have to “enjoy” his 3 hours long interesting session. He loves to visit islands and beaches but blind folds his eyes not to see sea.

Anupom: adorable freak. He invented some cute dancing terminology for projects. I love to talk to him on various intellectual issues. Good thinker and innovative.

Ahsan: crazy freak. He is the Boss here without doing any “bossing”. Excellent photographer and a passionate traveler. he has some great and excellent personal traits ( does it sound like oiling….. if yes ignore this line ).

Manzil: TT-freak. He is our qc lead and maintains a note book  full of strategy to play against each player. He should be hired by our national TT team as analyst.

Junal: michka-freak. He looks very gentleman but …..

Tapos: samba-freak. He can dance samba very well and dance often while playing TT as a strategy against his opponent

Hasan: eat-freak. He loves to eat and loves to eat.

Babu:  phone-n-photo-freak. Either he is working or he is talking privately with some one…. He loves to take his photo with various angle to promote his chance to attract yet another girl. HE IS A VERY GOOD GUY AND MY CLOSE FRIEND( and did not request me anything).

Pavel: photography-freak:  he is also a michka freak. Loves photography and does it very well…. though not sure if credit ges to his skill or his nikon camera.

Subeen: maolana-freak: he is our official huzur. he does many monajats and also part time RJ on Radio Hujur 42.0fm. Very talented song writer and poet.

Mushfique:  sexy-freak: well this term is not give by me instead by all others.. his name is also fexi.

Shohag: natural-freak. he is an example of an ideal freak.

Topu vai: geek-freak: Truly a freak by geek. Always doing some cool stuff with his lappy.

Jubair: sing-freak: excellent singer.

Adnan: cool-freak: the cold blooded freak.

Masum: silent-freak: I heard him talking after two days he joined. He hardly talks. Writer of Copa Virus.

Asif: time-freak: he loves to stay at office and usually the last person to sign off.

Shourav: The confused-freak : he is the greatest freak among us.

Saumen: stylish-freak: u can never find him normal dress… i mean “odd dress”

Aman: normal person. The only normal person in bd team

anyway…. I wish I had more time and write about rest of you.

XAuth was not used in my classes,  hope to integrate soon.

Till then please use this: https://github.com/vodkhang/Twitter-XAuth-and-Sharing

Vodkhang used the UI used in TwitterAgent with XAuth

Perhaps, you have used the FacebookAgent in your apps. I gratefully thank the fellows from  iphonedevsdk.com and other iPhone developers who mailed me saying the class helped them. These are actual inspiration of sharing code with all.

Now, I would like to share my TwitterAgent class with you. Using TwitterAgent you can now integrate twitter in your iPhone app seamlessly. Additionally, you can also specify a URL and can make it tinyURL on the fly just passing an extra parameter!

Here are the steps:

1. Download TwitterAgent and BusyAgent and add them into your project.

2. Import TwitterAgent.h in the file where we want to use

3. Now call any of these function, they are self explanatory!

[[TwitterAgent defaultAgent] twit ];

[[TwitterAgent defaultAgent] twit:@"Search with google!" ];

[[TwitterAgent defaultAgent] twit:@"Search with google!" withLink:@"http://www.google.com" makeTiny:NO];

[[TwitterAgent defaultAgent] twit:@"Search with google!" withLink:@"http://www.google.com" makeTiny:YES];

Screenshots:

Login To Twitter

You only need to login once in one session. Login information will be saved to the device and will be used next time the application starts.

[[TwitterAgent defaultAgent] twit];

[[TwitterAgent defaultAgent] twit:@"Search with google!"];

[[TwitterAgent defaultAgent] twit:@"Search with google!" withLink:@"http://www.google.com" makeTiny:NO];

[[TwitterAgent defaultAgent] twit:@"Search with google!" withLink:@"http://www.google.com" makeTiny:YES];

Hope it will come into your help. Cheers!

I am quite dependent on google services, specially gmail, reader, calendar and of course Google Wave. Like many others, it gives me excellent support in managing my tasks, update to the web world and prompt communication.

But one thing that bothered me is to switch to the gmail tab in my browser to check if any new mail is received. Well, I could use Apple Mail and many other out there. In fact, I tried lots of them but none could replace the browser.

Recently I installed Google Notifier! Its amazing! Minimal yet complete. Here is a step by step instruction to use it.

First go to http://toolbar.google.com/gmail-helper/notifier_mac.html.

Gmail Notifier Home Page

Click the button on the right saying: “Download Google Notifier for Mac”

After its been downloaded, click the dmg file if not already the image is mounted.  It will ask for a confirmation:

Google Notifier Mound Confirmation

Click “Open”. It will mount the image and following window will appear:

Install Google Notifier

Drag the Left side Application package to the Application directory folder on the left. Thats it!

Now, press Command + Space to open up the spotlight search prompt. Type Google Notifier.

Searching Google Notifier in Spotlight

Press Enter when Google Notifier is selected in the list.

Now enter your gmail account information. It can also be changed from preference.

Google Notifier Gmail Account Information

Thats it! look at your top bar!

Google Notifier Installed

Now, if you have any mail or calendar event, the corresponding icon will be colorized with a count!

Google Notifier! You Got Mail!

Optionally you may also configure Growl and a growl like this:

Google Notifier with Growl!

Now, I can browse the web relaxed! If any important mail requiring urgent reply, Google will serve me that info

GET THE LATEST CODE FROM HERE: http://code.google.com/p/iphone-facebook-twitter-connect-easy-integration-tool/
PLEASE JOIN THE PROJECT

In my previous post I shared a FacebookAgent to simplify integrating Facebook connect in iPhone and using common actions without
handling login, permission check etc but in a single method call like:

• Publish feed
• Change status
• Upload photo

/**
 * Upload photo
 */
- (void) uploadPhoto:(NSString*)imageurl;
- (void) uploadPhotoAtURL:(NSString*)imageurl withCaption:(NSString*)captionOrNil toAlbum:(NSString*)aidOrNil;
- (void) uploadPhotoAsData:(NSData*)imagedata withCaption:(NSString*)captionOrNil toAlbum:(NSString*)aidOrNil;

/**
 * Upload photo with status
 */
- (void) uploadPhoto:(NSString*)imageurl withStatus:(NSString*)status;
- (void) uploadPhotoAtURL:(NSString*)imageurl withStatus:(NSString*)status caption:(NSString*)captionOrNil toAlbum:(NSString*)aidOrNil;
- (void) uploadPhotoAsData:(NSData*)imagedata withStatus:(NSString*)status caption:(NSString*)captionOrNil toAlbum:(NSString*)aidOrNil;

/**
 * Ask permission to auto approve uploaded photo and add photo to an album.
 */
- (void) askUplaoadPhotoToAlbumPermission;