in swiftui, when to use structs and when to use classes?

Generated on 8/13/2024

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In SwiftUI, the choice between using structs and classes is influenced by the nature of SwiftUI views and the underlying principles of Swift.

When to Use Structs:

  • SwiftUI Views: SwiftUI views are typically defined using structs. This is because SwiftUI views are value types that describe the current state of the UI rather than being long-lived object instances. Structs in SwiftUI are used to create declarative descriptions of the UI, which SwiftUI then uses to efficiently manage the UI's data structure and rendering. This approach allows for better performance and easier code organization (SwiftUI essentials).

  • Value Semantics: Structs are preferred when you want value semantics, where a copy of the value behaves independently of the original. This is useful for types that are copied frequently, as each copy has its own storage (Explore Swift performance).

When to Use Classes:

  • Shared Mutable State: Classes are used when you need to represent shared mutable state. They are reference types, which means multiple references can point to the same instance, allowing for shared state across different parts of your app (A Swift Tour: Explore Swift’s features and design).

  • Object Identity and Inheritance: If your design requires object identity or inheritance, classes are the appropriate choice. They support single inheritance and can be used to create complex hierarchies (A Swift Tour: Explore Swift’s features and design).

In summary, use structs in SwiftUI for defining views and when you want value semantics. Use classes when you need shared mutable state, object identity, or inheritance.