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For an expert with some mathematical intuition layout constraints can do a custom layout that lays out perfectly on all screen sizes much better than declarativ

For an expert with some mathematical intuition layout constraints can do a custom layout that lays out perfectly on all screen sizes much better than declarative. However there is a learning curve I admit.

Pulcinella 4y ago
I love AutoLayout constraints…unfortunately Apple has never improved debugging tools. So when the system breaks and spews a bunch of autolayout constraint complaints to the debug console, it can be difficult to determine what went wrong (especially because the system will sometimes generate its own constraints, like if you are using stack views, and you have no insight into why they were generated or why the system is ignoring and discarding the constraints you made). Apple’s documentation has also gotten way, way worse. Apple expects you to watch the WWDC videos, but it’s not like they make refresher videos on old topics all the frequently and they often remove or hide old videos.
- nodemaker 4y ago
  Yeah there is a learning curve I admit. Usually you try to change the size of your view and see how things resize. And yes StackView is your biggest friend. Usually when the system ignores your constraint it says that on the log. It can be a bit tricky to find out which constraint its breaking but the View Debugger and also the constraint constant value can help find it.
- allenu 4y ago
  When they introduced auto-layout, I started using it all the time. The debug spew from the console was definitely frustrating to debug though. Eventually I tried going back to manual layout because a coworker still used it all the time and I noticed that it was pretty easy to follow the layout rules in imperative code (so long as it's well-structured). Since then I just do manual layout for everything. It's just easier for my brain to describe the layout I want that way. I feel like it takes me longer to come up with constraints that match what I want, but I'll admit if I went back to auto-layout, I'd probably be better at it.

Pulcinella 4y ago

I love AutoLayout constraints…unfortunately Apple has never improved debugging tools. So when the system breaks and spews a bunch of autolayout constraint complaints to the debug console, it can be difficult to determine what went wrong (especially because the system will sometimes generate its own constraints, like if you are using stack views, and you have no insight into why they were generated or why the system is ignoring and discarding the constraints you made). Apple’s documentation has also gotten way, way worse. Apple expects you to watch the WWDC videos, but it’s not like they make refresher videos on old topics all the frequently and they often remove or hide old videos.

nodemaker 4y ago
Yeah there is a learning curve I admit. Usually you try to change the size of your view and see how things resize. And yes StackView is your biggest friend. Usually when the system ignores your constraint it says that on the log. It can be a bit tricky to find out which constraint its breaking but the View Debugger and also the constraint constant value can help find it.
allenu 4y ago
When they introduced auto-layout, I started using it all the time. The debug spew from the console was definitely frustrating to debug though. Eventually I tried going back to manual layout because a coworker still used it all the time and I noticed that it was pretty easy to follow the layout rules in imperative code (so long as it's well-structured). Since then I just do manual layout for everything. It's just easier for my brain to describe the layout I want that way. I feel like it takes me longer to come up with constraints that match what I want, but I'll admit if I went back to auto-layout, I'd probably be better at it.