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https://github.com/prolificinteractive/swift-style-guide

A style guide for Swift.
https://github.com/prolificinteractive/swift-style-guide

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A style guide for Swift.

Lists

README 

        
![Swift Style Guide](Swift_style_guide.jpg)



# Table Of Contents



* [Overview](#overview)

* [Linter](#linter)

* [Standards](#standards)

	* [Naming Conventions](#naming-conventions)

	* [File Structure](#file-structure)

	* [Types](#types-1)

	* [Statement Termination](#statement-termination)

	* [Variable Declaration](#variable-declaration)

	* [Self](#self)

	* [Structs & Classes](#structs--classes)

	* [Bracket Syntax](#bracket-syntax)

	* [Force Unwrap](#force-unwrap)

	* [Error Handling](#error-handling)

	* [Access Modifiers](#access-modifiers)

	* [Imports](#imports)

	* [Nil Checking](#nil-checking)

	* [Implicit Getters](#implicit-getters)

	* [Enums](#enums)

	* [Use of `final`](#use-of-final)

	* [Operators](#operators)

	* [Documentation](#documentation)

* [Best Practices](BestPractices.md)



# Overview



This is Prolific's style guide for writing code in Swift. The purpose of this guide is to develop

a universal standard for Swift code that makes our codebases consistent and easy to read. This guide aims for

consistent and clean code written in Swift in line with Apple and the general community.



The standards have been influenced by:



* Apple's language design decisions -- specifically, its desire for Swift code to be written concisely and expressively

* Xcode's defaults for code formatting

* The general community



### Contributing



If you wish to contribute, feel free to submit a pull request or file an issue on this repo. In the pull request, be sure to discuss what problem you are intending

to solve and the rationale to do so. When submitting a pull request, consider:



* Is my suggestion general enough to be considered a code standard for all code bases?

* Does my suggestion fall in line with Apple's desire for the language?

* Does your suggestion invalidate a language feature?



Make sure to consider the resources in the open-source Swift repo; specifically, read through the various

[proposals](https://github.com/apple/swift-evolution/tree/master/proposals) for new language features as well as the

[most-commonly rejected proposals](https://github.com/apple/swift-evolution/blob/master/commonly_proposed.md) in order to

guide your design principals.



# Linter



In order to automate many of the rules here, we recommend using [our fork of Swiftlint](https://github.com/prolificinteractive/SwiftLint) in your Swift codebase.

While the main fork of Swiftlint is based around the GitHub style guide for Swift, our fork has additional rules and corrections for rules specific to our

style guide that you will not find in the GitHub one.



# Standards



## Naming Conventions



The Apple Swift [API design guidelines](https://swift.org/documentation/api-design-guidelines/) promote clarity over brevity. Code should be concise, readable and clear at the point of use. However, having compact code that sacrifices clarity is a non-goal.



### Types



Write all type names with UpperCamelCase, function and variable names with lowerCamelCase.



```swift

class MyClass { }

protocol MyProtocol { }

func myFunction() { }

var myVariable: String

```



Avoid acronyms and abbreviations for clarity and readability. If you have to use an acronym, use upper case.



```swift

productURL = NSURL()

userID = "12345"

```



### Protocols



Protocol names describing something should be a noun: `Collection`, `Element`. Protocol names describing an ability should end with “ing” or “able”: `Evaluatable`, `Printable`, `Formatting`.



### Enums



Enum cases start with lowerCamelCase.



```

enum Color {

    case red

    case blue

    case green

    case lightBlue

}

```



### Functions



Name your function with words that describe its behavior. Here is an example with a function that removes an element at an index x.



**Preferred:**

```swift

func remove(at index: Index) -> Element

```



**Not Preferred:**

```swift

func remove(index: Index) -> Element

```



*Rationale*: It is better to specify that we are removing the element at the given index, and we are not trying to remove the given parameter itself, to make the behavior of the function very clear.



Avoid unnecessary words in the function name.



**Preferred:**

```swift

func remove(_ element: Element) -> Element?

```



**Not Preferred:**

```swift

func removeElement(_ element: Element) -> Element?

```



*Rationale*: It makes the code clearer and more concise. Adding extra unnecessary words will make the code harder to read and understand.



Name your functions based on their side effects and behaviors.



* With side effects: use **imperative verb** phrases:

	* `print(x)`, `x.sort()`, `x.append(y)`

* Without side effects: use **noun** phrases:

	* `x.formattedName()`, `x.successor()`



When the function can be described by a verb, use an imperative verb for the mutating function and apply “ed” or “ing” to the nonmutating function:

* Mutating function:

	* `x.sort()`

	* `x.append(y)`

* Nonmutating function:

	* `z = x.sorted()`

	* `z = x.appending(y)`



Name functions to be read as a sentence according to their side effects.



**Preferred:**

```swift

x.insert(y, at: z)          // x, insert y at z

x.subViews(havingColor: y)  // x's subviews having color y

x.capitalizingNouns()       // x, capitalizing nouns

```



**Not Preferred:**

```swift

x.insert(y, position: z)

x.subViews(color: y)

x.nounCapitalize()

```



### Empty Return Types



When specifying return type for functions, methods or closures that return no value, favor the type alias `Void` over empty tuple `()`.



**Preferred:**

```swift

func performTask(_ completion: @escaping (Bool) -> Void)

```



**Not Preferred:**

```swift

func performTask(_ completion: @escaping (Bool) -> ())

```



## File structure



You should not define multiple public/internal types (ie class, struct, enum) in the same file; each type should have its own file.



The following list should be the standard organization of all your Swift files, in this specific order:



Before the type declaration:



* Private Class/Struct/Enum



Inside the type declaration:



* Override Properties

* Properties

* Static/Class Variables

* Static/Class Functions

* Init/Deinit

* Override Functions

* Instance Functions



After the type declaration:



* Extensions



Each section above should be organized by accessibility:



* Open

* Public

* Internal

* Fileprivate

* Private



When implementing a protocol you should create an extension of your class that lives in the same file to separate the core logic of your class and your protocol implementation.



### Enum & Protocol



All enums should live in their own file, except in cases where the enum is declared as private. In cases where the enum is declared private, declare the enum at the top of the file, above the type declaration.



*Rationale*: With enum and protocol types Swift allows defining functions and extensions. Because of that these types can become complex which is why they should be defined in their own file.



### Usage of MARK / TODO / FIXME



To help organize your files you may want to use pragma marks to clearly separate your functions, properties and extensions. For extensions, use one MARK per extension. For example, `// MARK: UITableViewDelegate Functions` instead of `// MARK: Extensions`.



Xcode is also able to display `TODO` and `FIXME` tags directly in the source navigator, you should consider using them to find your notes inside your files.



`// TODO: implement this feature`



`// FIXME: fix it it's not working`



Other conventional comment tags, such as `NOTE` are not recognized by Xcode.



## Types



Prefer Swift native types over Objective-C types when possible. Because Swift types bridge to Objective-C, you should avoid types like NSString and NSNumber in favor of Int or String.



*Rationale*: Avoid subclassing NSObject or using the @objc flag unless it is required to implement an NSObjectProtocol type. Subclassing NSObject or using the @objc flag automatically creates an Objective-C object that uses dynamic dispatch over the preferred static of Swift which can impact the performance of the app.



**Preferred:**



```swift

class MyClass {

...

}

```



**Not preferred:**



```swift

@objc class MyClass {

...

}

```



If you need functionality from an Objective-C type that is not available in its corresponding Swift type (for instance, needing an NSString function that is not available on String), cast your Swift raw type to the corresponding Objective-C type instead of declaring the type as the Objective-C type.



**Preferred:**



```swift

let scale = 5.0

let scaleString = (5.0 as NSNumber).stringValue

let scaleInt = Int(scale)

```



**Not preferred:**



```swift

let scale: NSNumber = 5.0

let scaleString = scale.stringValue

let scaleInt = scale.integerValue

```



Always use Swift equivalent of an Objective-C function whenever possible. For example when manipulating a CGRect variable:



**Preferred:**

```swift

let rect = CGRect()

let width = rect.width

let height = rect.height

```



**Not preferred:**

```swift

let rect = CGRect()

let width = CGRectGetWidth(rect)

let height = CGRectGetHeight(rect)

```



*Rationale*: Objective-C functions are making the code less readable, also using Swift equivalents will always help transitioning from a Swift version to another.



### Type Declarations



When declaring types, the colon should be placed immediately after the identifier followed by one space and the type name.



```swift



var intValue: Int



// Do NOT do this

var intValue : Int



```



In all use-cases, the colon should be associated with the left-most item with no spaces preceding and one space afterwards:



```swift

let myDictionary: [String: AnyObject] = ["String": 0]

```



### typealias



Typealias declarations should precede any other type declaration.



```swift

// typealias ClosureType = (ParameterTypes) -> (ReturnType)

typealias AgeAndNameProcessor = (Int, String) -> Void



var intValue: Int



class Object {



	private var someString = ""



	func returnOne() -> Int {

		return 1

	}



}

```



If declaring a typealias for protocol conformance, it should be declared at the top of the type declaration, before anything else.



```swift

protocol Configurable {



    associatedtype InputData



    func configure(data: InputData) -> Void



}



class ExampleWillNeed {



    var x: String = ""

    var y: String = ""



}



class Example: Configurable {



    typealias InputData = ExampleWillNeed



    var a: String = ""

    var b: String = ""



    func configure(data: InputData)  {

        a = data.x

        b = data.y

    }



}

```



### Type Inference



Prefer letting the compiler infer the type instead of explicitly stating it, wherever possible:



```swift

var max = 0 		// Int

var name = "John" 	// String

var rect = CGRect()	// CGRect



// Do not do:



var max: Int = 0

var name: String = "John"

var rect: CGRect = CGRect()



// Ok since the inferred type is not what we wanted:



var max: Hashable = 0 // Compiler would infer Int, but we only want it to be hashable

var name: String? = "John" // Compiler would infer this not to be optional, but we may need to nil it out later.

```



*Rationale* The compiler is pretty smart, and we should utilize it where necessary. It is generally obvious what the

type is going to be in the instances above, so unless we need to be more explicit (as in the last examples above), it is better to omit unneeded words.



## Statement Termination



Unlike Objective-C, omit the use of `;` to terminate statements. Instead, simply use new lines to indicate the end of a statement.



```swift

let myVar = 0

doSomething(myVar)



return

```



Avoid multiple statements on a single line.



```swift

guard let obj = myObj else { print("Something went wrong"); return; } // Wrong! Instead, place each item on its own line.

```



## Variable Declaration



For declaring variables, favor `let` instead of `var` unless you need a mutable object or container.



```swift

func formatDate(date: NSDate) -> String {

    let dateFormatter = NSDateFormatter() // In this case, use `let` since the variable `dateFormatter` never changes once set

    dateFormatter.dateStyle = .ShortStyle

    return dateFormatter.stringFromDate(date)

}



func arrays() {

    let array = ["Hello", "Ciao", "Aloha"] // use let here since this is an immutable container



    var mutableArray = [String]() // Use var here since this container is mutable

    mutableArray.append("Farewell")

    mutableArray.append("Arrivederci")

}



```



## Self



Never use the `self` modifier except in cases where it is necessary for the compiler or to alleviate conflicts

with other variable declarations.



```swift



class Object {

	private var name = ""



	func useName() {

		// Let self be implied when it can be understood.

		otherObject.doSomethingWithName(name)

		setName("Will Smith")

	}



	func setName(name: String) {

		// Use self here to prevent conflicts with the `name` parameter being passed.

		self.name = name

	}



	func setNameAsync(newName: String) {

		// Use implicit self outside closures...

		otherObject.doSomethingWithName(name, then: {

			// .. but within, you must use self to ease the compiler.

			self.setName("Jason")

		})

	}

}



```



*Rationale*: The idea behind this is that implicit use of self makes the conditions where you _must_ use self

(for instance, within closures) much more apparent and will make you think more on the reasons why you are using it.

In closures, think about: should `self` be `weak` instead of `strong`? Apple has even rejected a request to enforce use of `self` for this reason, [among others](http://ericasadun.com/2016/01/06/the-swift-evolution-proposal-se-0009-rejection/).



## Bracket Syntax



For brackets, prefer the Xcode-default syntax of having the opening brace be on the same line as the statement opening it:



```swift

final class MyObject {

}



enum MyEnum {

}



func doSomething() {

}



if true == false {

}



let doSomething: () -> Void = {

}



```



For type declarations, include a single space between the type declaration and the first item implemented within

it:



```swift

final class MyObject {



	let value = 0

```



In addition, include a space before the type declaration's closing bracket:



```swift

final class MyObject {



	let value = 0



	func doSomething() {

		value += 1

	}



}

```



This also applies to extension declarations:



```swift

extension MyObject {



	func doAnotherThing() {

		...

	}



}

```



Do not include this extra space in function declarations:



```swift

func doSomething() {

	let value = 0

}

```



*Rationale*: Simply put, this is the Xcode default and standard, and it's not worth fighting. This keeps things consistent

across the board and makes our lives as developers considerably easier.



## Force Unwrap



Unless there is a situation that absolutely calls for it, usage of the force-unwrap operator `(!)` should

be minimized, if not eliminated all together. With the many and varied ways of unwrapping optionals, it is

safer and simpler to declare variables as optional and unwrap them when needing their values than it is

to force-unwrap them and potentially introduce runtime errors into the code base.



```swift



if let text = self.textLabel?.text {

    doSomethingWithText(text)

}



```



If you are interoping from Objective-C and the declaration automatically translates into force-unwrapped

parameters, replace them with `?` parameters instead.



The one exception to this rule are IBOutlets. @IBOutlets may be declared using `!` so long as they are expected

to exist for the lifetime of the view controller object:



```swift

@IBOutlet private weak var textLabel: UILabel!



```



## Error Handling



The emergence of `try / catch` in Swift 2 has added powerful ways to define and return errors when something fails. The emergence of `ErrorType`

as well for defining errors makes error definitions much more convenient over the cumbersome `NSError`. Because of this, for functions that can have multiple

points of failure, you should always define it as `throws` and return a well-defined `ErrorType`.



Consider the following contrived example:



```swift



func multiplyEvensLessThan10(evenNumber: Int) -> Int? {

	guard evenNumber % 2 == 0 && evenNumber < 10 else {

		return nil

	}



	return evenNumber * 2

}



```



The function above fails because it only expects evens less than 10 and returns an optional if that is violated. While this works and is simple, it

is more Objective-C than Swift in its composition. The caller may not know which parameter they violated. For Swift, instead consider refactoring it as follows:



```swift



enum NumberError: ErrorType {

	case notEven

	case tooLarge

}



func multiplyEvens(evenNumber: Int) throws -> Int {

	guard evenNumber % 2 == 0 else {

		throw NumberError.NotEven

	}



	guard evenNumber < 10 else {

		throw NumberError.TooLarge

	}



	return evenNumber * 2

}



```



The above, while slightly more cumbersome, this has well-defined benefits:



* The caller is able to explicitly determine why their call to the function failed and thus can take active steps to recover:



	```swift

	let result: Int

	do {

	    result = try multiplyEvens(3)

	} catch NumberError.NotEven {

	    return 0

	} catch NumberError.TooLarge {

	    print("The Number entered was too large! Try again.")

	    return -1

	} catch {

	    fatalError("Unhandled error occurred.")

	}



	return result

	```



* Try/catch semantics allow the caller to still retain the old optional functionality if the error is not relevant and they only care about the outcome:



	```swift

	let result: Int? = try? multiplyEvens(1)

	```



* Or, if the caller knows that it will not violate any of the parameters for a valid input:



	```swift

	let result: Int = try! multiplyEvens(2)

	```



So, even though we've now modified our API to use swift exceptions, we can still retain the old Objective-C functionality giving the caller the choice

of how they wish to handle the result of this failable operation.



### NSError



In general, you should avoid `NSError` in Swift in favor of defining your own `ErrorType`. However, in the event you do need to use `NSError` (for interop with Objective-C, for instance):



* Define a proper domain for your `NSError`. This should be specific to your module and ideally would be reflective of your bundle identifier (e.g. `com.prolificinteractive.MyApp`).

* Define a list of the various error codes and what they translate to. These should be some sort of easily readable constant or enum value so that way the caller is able to determine what exactly failed.

* In the userInfo, include _at least_ a localized description (`NSLocalizedDescriptionKey`) that accurately and concisely describes the nature of the error.



## Access Modifiers



Specify access modifiers only when they are needed and required by the compiler. For `internal` types and functions, do not explicitly specify the access modifier since all entities in Swift are `internal` by default.



```swift

final class Object {



    var myInt: Int



    private func doWork() {

        ...

    }



}



```



Further, the access modifier should always be presented first in the list before any other modifiers:



```swift

// Good!

private unowned var obj: Object



func doSomething() {

}



// Wrong!

weak public var obj: Object?

```



## Imports



Import statements should be at the very top of the code file, and they should be listed in alphabetical order.



```swift

import AFNetworking

import Foundation

import ReactiveCocoa

import RealmSwift

import UIKit

```



The exception is for imports that are for testing only; they should be placed at the bottom of the list, in alphabetical order:



```swift

import AFNetworking

import UIKit

@testable import MyLibrary

```



## Structs & Classes



In Swift, structs maintain value semantics which means their values are copied when assigned. Classes, on the other hand, act like pointers from C

and Objective-C; they are called reference types and the internal data is shared amongst instances of assigning.



When composing your types, consider carefully what they're going to be used for before choosing what they should end up being. In general,

consider structs for types that are:



* Immutable

* Stateless

* Have a definition for equality



Swift structs also have other, tangible benefits as well:



* Faster

* Safer due to copying rather than referencing

* Thread safe -- copies allow mutations to happen independently of other instances.



In general, you should favor structs and protocols over classes; even in cases where polymorphism would dictate the usage of a class, consider if you can

achieve a similar result via protocols and extensions. This allows you to achieve polymorphism via *composition* rather than *inheritance*.



## Nil Checking



Favor `if-let` checking over direct nil checking in all cases except when the result of this check is required:



```swift

guard let item = myItem else {

	return

}



doSomethingWith(item)

```



```swift

if let _ = error { // Prefer this over `if error != nil`

	fatalError()

}

```



```swift

func isError(error: Error?) -> Bool {

	return (error != nil) // In this case, we need the result of the bool, and this is much cleaner than the other options.

}

```



For style suggestions regarding nil checking visit our [best practices](https://github.com/prolificinteractive/swift-style-guide/blob/master/BestPractices.md) section.



## Implicit Getters



When overriding only the getter of a property, omit the use of `get`:



```swift

var myInt: Int {

	return 0

}



// Do not do this:

var myInt: Int {

	get {

		return 0

	}

}



```



For all other cases, specify the modifier as needed (`set`, `didSet`, etc.). This is compiler enforced.



*Rationale* The getter is implied enough to make sense without having to make it explicitly. It also cuts down on

unnecessary verbiage and spacing to make code clearer.



## Enums



For enum declarations, declare each enum case on a new line with its own `case` statement instead of a comma-separated list.



```swift

enum State {

	case open

	case closed

	case pending

	case faulted

}

```



Prefer singular case for enum names instead of plural: `State` vs. `States`:



```swift

var currentState = State.open

var previousState = States.closed // Reads less clearly than the previous option.

```



For enums with raw values, declare the raw value on the same line as its declaration:



```swift

enum HTTPMethod: String {

	case get = "GET"

	case post = "POST"

}

```



For any other functions or properties associated with the enum, place them after the last case item in the enum list:



```swift

enum State {

	case open

	case closed

	case pending

	case faulted



	func nextState() -> State {

		...

	}

}

```



In cases where the enum's type name can be omitted, do so:



```swift

let state = State.open



if state == .closed { ... // Prefer .closed instead of State.closed

```



## Use of `final`



Classes should always be marked as `final` unless they are being used as a base class for another type. In instances where a class can be subclassed,

any function or variable that should not be overridden by a subclass should be diligently marked as `final`.



```swift

// Not built for inheritance.

final class Object {



}



// Purposefully utilizable as a base class

class BaseClass {



	func doSomething () {

	}



	// Properly marked as final so subclasses cannot override

	final func update() {

	}



}



final class SubClass: BaseClass {



	override func doSomething() {

		update()

	}



}



```



*Rationale* Subclassing in instances where the original class was not built to support subclasses can be a common source of bugs. Marking classes as `final`

indicates that it was developed under the assumption that it would act on its own without regard for subclasses.



## Operators



### Operator Overloading



Operator overloading is not recommended. Overloads often lead to ambiguous semantics, unintuitive behaviours and obscurities that are difficult for everyone to understand except the person who wrote them. Instead opt for less succinct, yet more descriptive function definitions throughout your code.



### Custom Operators



Be wary of defining entirely new operators, unless your use case specifically requires it. In some situations borrowing an operator that is defined in the standard library of another language makes sense, such as operators specific to high level scientific or mathematical problem solving. The behaviour of your custom operator should be intuitive and obvious. Its semantics should not conflict with existing Swift operators. 



When defining a custom operator, be clear and use exhaustive documentation. Provide an example use of the operator within your documentation that others will easily understand. Define the new operator in the same file as the type definition that is making use of it.



```swift

/// Defines a postfix operator used to

/// add 3 to the value of an integer.

postfix operator +++



/// Adds a value of 3 to an Integer 

/// by appending the postfix operator.

///

/// Eg. let result = 3+++

/// (result is now 6)

///

/// - Parameter n: integer to add 3 to

/// - Returns: the value of n plus 3

postfix func +++(n: Int) -> Int {

    return n + 3

}

```



Ensure there is always an existing function available that can be used as an alternative to the custom operator if required. Consumers of your type interface should be able to choose between using your custom operator as a shortcut, or using the function for further clarity.



## Documentation



Well documented code is critical to help other developers understand what the code is doing. Every **open**, **public** and **internal** types should be documented.

Additionally developers should annotate any private piece of code when its behavior is not trivial using the regular comment syntax `//`.



See our [best practices](BestPractices.md#documentation) about documenting the code.



*Rationale* A code without documentation is harder to understand, it is a good practice to document your code to help other developers understand the project, especially when it contains public APIs.