Auto Layout using initWithFrame?

Question

If I'm implementing AutoLayout programatically in iOS is it proper to use initWithFrame method? If not how to initialise a view of preferred size?

Answer 1

Better to avoid initWithFrame unless you have no choice. With Auto Layout, the approach is to define two constraints that specify width and height. There's different ways to do this but if you're doing it programmatically, in the updateViewConstraints method of your view controller, or the updateConstraints method of the view, check if the constraints have already been created and if not, add them to your view.

E.g.

[myConstraints addObjectsFromArray:[NSLayoutConstraint constraintsWithVisualFormat:@"H:|-[_mySubView]-(200)-|"
                                 options:0
                                 metrics:nil
                                 views:_myViewsDictionary]];

[myConstraints addObjectsFromArray:[NSLayoutConstraint constraintsWithVisualFormat:@"V:|-[_mySubView(100)]-|"
                                 options:0
                                 metrics:nil
                                 views:_myViewsDictionary]];

That said, better to do it using Interface Builder. Once you get used to it - and it does take some getting used to - you'll find it a fantastic timesaver and much better than defining your constraints in code.