Navigation And Segues | Uikit

Introduction

Navigation and segues are fundamental concepts in iOS development using UIKit. They allow you to move between different views (or view controllers) in your application. This tutorial will guide you through the basics of navigation, how to implement segues, and provide practical examples.

Understanding Navigation

Navigation in iOS apps is typically managed by a UINavigationController. This controller allows you to push and pop view controllers onto a navigation stack, enabling users to traverse through the app's hierarchy.

To use a navigation controller, you can embed your initial view controller in a navigation controller using Interface Builder or programmatically.

Embedding a View Controller in a Navigation Controller

Using Interface Builder:

Select your initial view controller.
Go to the menu bar, select Editor > Embed In > Navigation Controller.

This will create a navigation controller and set it as the root of your application.

Pushing and Popping View Controllers

Once you have set up your navigation controller, you can navigate to a new view controller by pushing it onto the stack.

Pushing a View Controller

Here’s how you can push a new view controller:

self.navigationController?.pushViewController(newViewController, animated: true)

To go back, you can pop the top view controller off the stack:

Popping a View Controller

self.navigationController?.popViewController(animated: true)

Understanding Segues

A segue is a transition between two view controllers. In iOS, you can create segues in Interface Builder or programmatically. Segues define how a new view controller is presented.

Common segue types include Show, Show Detail, and Modal.

Creating a Segue

Using Interface Builder:

Control-drag from a button to the destination view controller.
Choose the type of segue from the popup menu.

Performing Segues Programmatically

You can also trigger segues programmatically using the performSegue(withIdentifier:sender:) method.

Performing a Segue

self.performSegue(withIdentifier: "yourSegueIdentifier", sender: nil)

Don't forget to implement the prepare(for:sender:) method to pass data to the destination view controller.

Preparing for a Segue

override func prepare(for segue: UIStoryboardSegue, sender: Any?) {
  if segue.identifier == "yourSegueIdentifier" {
    let destinationVC = segue.destination as! DestinationViewController
    destinationVC.data = yourData
  }
}

Conclusion

Navigation and segues are essential for creating a user-friendly interface in your iOS applications. By understanding how to use UINavigationControllers and segues effectively, you can enhance the user experience and provide a seamless flow through your app. Remember to practice these concepts in your projects to gain confidence in your navigation skills.

Navigation and Segues in UIKit