.m file Modifications

#import “UITableViewCellFixed.h”

// Below is first the original then the subclassed
        //UITableViewCell *cell = [tableview dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier:CellIdentifier];
        UITableViewCellFixed *cell = (UITableViewCellFixed *)[tableView dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier:CellIdentifier];
        
if (cell == nil) {
                // Below is first the original then the subclassed
//cell = [[[UITableViewCell alloc] initWithStyle:UITableViewCellStyleValue2 reuseIdentifier:CellIdentifier] autorelease];
cell = [[[UITableViewCellFixed alloc] initWithStyle:UITableViewCellStyleValue2 reuseIdentifier:CellIdentifier] autorelease];
                
                //Cell Accessories
                //cell.accessoryType = UITableViewCellAccessoryDisclosureIndicator;
                cell.editingAccessoryType = UITableViewCellAccessoryDisclosureIndicator;
                

}

Then the subclass file looks like:

// UITableViewCellFixed.h
//

#import <UIKit/UIKit.h>

@interface UITableViewCellFixed : UITableViewCell {

}

@end

//
// UITableViewCellFixed.m
//

#import “UITableViewCellFixed.h”

@implementation UITableViewCellFixed
- (void) layoutSubviews {
        [super layoutSubviews];
        self.textLabel.frame = CGRectMake(self.textLabel.frame.origin.x,
4.0,
self.textLabel.frame.size.width,
self.textLabel.frame.size.height);
        self.detailTextLabel.frame = CGRectMake(self.detailTextLabel.frame.origin.x,
                                                                                        8.0 + self.textLabel.frame.size.height,
                                                                                        self.detailTextLabel.frame.size.width,
                                                                                        self.detailTextLabel.frame.size.height);
}
@end

The iPad Popover control is possibly the least publicized feature of the iPhoneOS SDK, but becomes critical to in app actions and workflows. This is because the Popover Controller can show a small UIView of controls and more importantly save the user from having the whole screen change navigation hierarchy. A simple popover for example, can be used to edit a textfield, or change a date really quickly. In an iPhone app, this would typically be done by sending the user to a ‘DetailView’ where the setting/property can be change, whereas on the iPad this is highly discouraged. I am going to go through a quick popover example today, and on monday I will post a fantastic iPad user template.

1. Understanding the context
First, you need to know where a popover should be used. I can’t say much more than whats above. Use the apple apps, use the other top 100 apps, see how they use the popover controller. This will give you a feel of what it should do.
2. Some Code
Firstly, your main view controller {.h} needs a <UIPopoverControllerDelegate> declaration.
In your main view controller, add the following to the @interface (.h file)

//PopoverViewController
UIPopoverController *popoverController;

and just before @end add an IBAction:
- (IBAction)popOverViewCall:(id)sender;

Create a New View & ViewController {.h/.m} files and place them in your project. This is the actual popover that will come up. Place controls how ever you see fit.  I call this popover controller MyViewControllerForPopover. Add an include of this file to your main view controller, eg:
#import “FirstDetailViewControllerPopOverControl.h”

In MyViewControllerForPopop {.m file}, add the following code:
-(void)viewDidAppear:(BOOL)animated
{
self.contentSizeForViewInPopover = CGSizeMake(320,320);

}
This sets the size of the popover for showing.Go into interface builder and add a couple controls to ensure you know when it works.
And finally in your main view controller {.m file}, add the IBAction:

-(IBAction)popOverViewCall:(id)sender{
FirstDetailViewControllerPopOverControl *myViewControllerForPopover = [[FirstDetailViewControllerPopOverControl alloc] initWithNibName:@”FirstDetailViewControllerPopOverControl” bundle:nil ];
UIPopoverController *popover = [[UIPopoverController alloc] initWithContentViewController:myViewControllerForPopover];
self.popoverController = popover;
popoverController.delegate = self;

[popover release];
[myViewControllerForPopover release];

CGPoint point = {200,200}; // Place to put on screen
CGSize size = {600,600}; // A content range (see apple docs)
[popoverController presentPopoverFromRect:CGRectMake(point.x, point.y, size.width, size.height)
inView:self.view permittedArrowDirections:UIPopoverArrowDirectionAny animated:YES];

}

Add a button on your main view controller to call the IBAction. That covers it! One of the new features in iPhoneOS3.2 for iPad. See the screenshots for how it should look, code is downloadable below.



1. Create a new view based application

2. Add the IBOutlets for the UISliders

In the .h file add:

@interface deCustomSliderViewController : UIViewController {

IBOutlet UISlider *slider1;
IBOutlet UISlider *slider2;

}

3. Setup the Interface.

Add a couple sliders to deCustomSliderViewController.xib

And then add the IBOutlet Link – You will only need to do one of these.

4.Now its time to make them pretty!

Add your image resources to the project resources folder. You will need one for the bar and one for the knob (the slider bit you touch). I have attached some at the end of this post.

I am using these (credit http://www.mynameise.com/renn and http://365psd.com/day/27/) :

5. Add the UI Code

The final step is just linking the resources to the IBOutlets. Add the following code in your viewDidLoad or viewWillLoad

//Slider Images
UIImage *stetchLeftTrack = [[UIImage imageNamed:@"slider-bg.png"] stretchableImageWithLeftCapWidth:10.0 topCapHeight:0.0];
UIImage *stetchRightTrack = [[UIImage imageNamed:@"slider-bg.png"] stretchableImageWithLeftCapWidth:10.0 topCapHeight:0.0];

//Slider: Top
slider1.backgroundColor = [UIColor clearColor];        
[slider1 setThumbImage: [UIImage imageNamed:@"slider-knob.png"] forState:UIControlStateNormal];
[slider1 setMinimumTrackImage:stetchLeftTrack forState:UIControlStateNormal];
[slider1 setMaximumTrackImage:stetchRightTrack forState:UIControlStateNormal];
slider1.minimumValue = 0.0;
slider1.maximumValue = 100.0;
slider1.continuous = YES;
slider1.value = 20.0;

//Slider: Middle
slider2.backgroundColor = [UIColor clearColor];        
[slider2 setThumbImage: [UIImage imageNamed:@"slider-knob.png"] forState:UIControlStateNormal];
[slider2 setMinimumTrackImage:stetchLeftTrack forState:UIControlStateNormal];
[slider2 setMaximumTrackImage:stetchRightTrack forState:UIControlStateNormal];
slider2.minimumValue = 0.0;
slider2.maximumValue = 100.0;
slider2.continuous = YES;
slider2.value = 50.0;

Thats it! It wasn’t too hard at all hey! Run your app and checkout your new sliders. Mine Looks like this:

And thats it!

Downloads:



1. Project -> Edit Active Executable

2. Goto the Arguments Tab

1. Set the Variable NSZombieEnabled and set it to YES (note: its Zombie, not Zombies!)

I’ll leave it as an exercise to find out more about NSZombie, its great for memory debugging.

Firstly, what does the button look like? Its very simple really, its a modest edit button. The left image is the Normal state, the right button is for the highlighted state.

And here is a (blurred) pic of the edit button in action, in my current development app. I did say it is modest.

So how is it done?

Well this one is 100% thanks to Interface Builder and it should be quite easy to follow.

Well, open Interface Builder, create a UIButton and add an Image to the button (as one normally would). See the below screenshot.

Now, Do you see where it says ‘Default State Configuration’ just under the ‘type’ setting? Press it

We are now given 4 states where we are able to alter the button under, all without requiring any code at all!
Default State: Button is in its normal state
Highlighted State: Button is being pressed (this is the one we want)
Selected State: Extra code has registered this button as ‘active’ and so its in ‘selected’ mode
Disabled State: Extra code has registered this button as ‘disabled’ and so its in ‘disabled’ mode

So now I would go into ‘Highlighted State’ and just change the image, to the second edit image (see below).

And thats it! No code at all. Build your app and test it!

Future Exercise:
Create the entire button without even the jpgs (Skill: Beginner)

Download: PSD Files (free for personal/commercial use)

all you really need to do is:
int random = random();

Then you can use the integer as you normally would.

But wait..is it possible that I keep getting the same random numbers?

Try the following code in an empty Xcode Project:

int generated;

for (int i =0; i<10; i++) {
generated = abs(100000*(random()));
NSLog(@”New Random Key: %d”,generated);
}

This gives the output of:

And yes, they are the same 10 randomly generated numbers! The random number sequence by default is regular and is based off local computer properties. (Note: see how I ran the code twice and I get the same 10 random numbers).

There is one more line that can aid the initial random() function, and makes the start a little less random.

//Real Randomness
srandom(time(NULL));

Put this before the use of random().

This now sets a new starting point for the random number generator and gives output like one would expect.

//Real Randomness
srandom(time(NULL));

int generated;

for (int i =0; i<10; i++) {
generated = abs(100000*(random()));
NSLog(@”New Random Key: %d”,generated);
}

This gives the output:

There is one better function to use in place of all of the above. Just use

arc4random()

It seems to be more popular and improves generation with unique-randoms. I use arc4random and this is the best way to quickly generate a random number in Objective-C.