Validating iOS App Source Code Before Uploading to App Store

Introduction

As a developer, ensuring that your app meets the Apple App Store’s guidelines is crucial before uploading it for review. While Apple provides extensive documentation and resources to help developers comply with their policies, validating the source code itself can be a challenging task. In this article, we will delve into the world of iOS development and explore ways to validate the source code before uploading your app to the App Store.

Understanding the Apple Developer Guidelines

Before we dive into validation techniques, it’s essential to understand the Apple Developer guidelines. The App Store Review Guidelines outline the rules and regulations for apps submitted to the App Store. These guidelines cover various aspects, including:

Code Quality: Ensure that your app meets the required code quality standards.
Performance: Optimize your app’s performance to provide a smooth user experience.
Security: Protect user data and ensure the security of your app.
Content: Comply with Apple’s content policies.

Familiarizing yourself with these guidelines will help you identify potential issues in your source code.

Creating an Archive

To begin validating your source code, you need to create an archive of your app. An archive is a compressed file that contains all the necessary files and resources for your app. Here’s how to create an archive using Xcode:

Open Xcode and select your project.
Click on Product > Archive in the top menu bar.
In the Archive dialog box, click on the Show in Finder button to view the archived file.

The archived file will be located in the Derived Data directory within your Xcode project folder.

Validating the Build

Once you have created an archive, you can use various tools and techniques to validate the build. Here are some ways to do so:

Linting: Linting involves analyzing your source code for errors, warnings, or potential issues. You can use third-party tools like SonarQube or CodeClimate to perform linting on your app’s source code.

Install sonarqube

brew install sonarqube

Run analysis

sonarqube -u https://yourserver.com -s yourprojectname -l language=swift -l language=objc -l language=javascript


2.  **Static Code Analysis**: Static code analysis tools analyze your source code without executing it. They provide insights into potential issues, such as syntax errors, bugs, and security vulnerabilities. Tools like Checkmarx or Veracode can help you identify areas for improvement in your app's source code.

    ```markdown
# Install checkmarx
pip install checkmarx

# Run analysis
checkmarx -u https://yourserver.com -s yourprojectname -l language=swift -l language=objc -l language=javascript

Dynamic Code Analysis: Dynamic code analysis involves executing your app’s source code and analyzing its behavior at runtime. This can help you identify issues related to performance, security, or compatibility.

Install dynamic analyzer

brew install dynamic-analyzer

Run analysis

dynamic-analyzer -o /Users/yourusername/Documents/output -p yourprojectname -s Swift


4.  **Manual Review**: Manual review involves manually reviewing your app's source code for errors, inconsistencies, or potential issues. This can be time-consuming but provides a detailed understanding of the code.

### Automated Testing

Automated testing is an essential part of validating your app's source code. You can use Xcode's built-in test runner to create and run tests for your app. Here are some ways to do so:

1.  **Unit Tests**: Unit tests verify that individual components or units of your app behave correctly.

    ```markdown
// Create a new file named TestMyClass.swift

import XCTest

class MyClassTest: XCTestCase {
    func testMyMethod() {
        // Arrange
        let myObject = MyClass()

        // Act
        myObject.myMethod()

        // Assert
        XCTAssertEqual(myObject.someProperty, 42)
    }
}

Integration Tests: Integration tests verify that different components or units of your app interact correctly.

// Create a new file named TestMyApp.swift

import XCTest

class MyAppTest: XCTestCase { func testMainLoop() { // Arrange let myWindow = UIWindow()

    // Act
    UIApplication.main(UIApplicationMain, nil, nil)

    // Assert
    XCTAssertEqual(myWindow.rootViewController, nil)
}

}


3.  **UI Test**: UI tests verify that your app's user interface behaves correctly.

    ```markdown
// Create a new file named TestMyApp.swift

import XCTest
from AppKit import *

class MyAppTest: XCTestCase {
    func testMainLoop() {
        // Arrange
        let myWindow = UIWindow()

        // Act
        UIApplication.main(UIApplicationMain, nil, nil)

        // Assert
        XCTAssertEqual(myWindow.rootViewController, nil)
    }
}

By using these validation techniques, you can ensure that your app meets the Apple App Store’s guidelines and is ready for review.

Conclusion

Validating iOS app source code before uploading to the App Store is an essential step in ensuring compliance with Apple’s policies. By creating an archive, performing linting and static code analysis, running dynamic code analysis, and implementing automated testing, you can identify potential issues and improve your app’s quality. Remember to stay up-to-date with the latest changes in Apple’s guidelines and tools, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance.

Validating iOS App Source Code Before Uploading to App Store

Introduction

Understanding the Apple Developer Guidelines

Creating an Archive

Validating the Build

Install sonarqube

Run analysis

Install dynamic analyzer

Run analysis

Conclusion

Further Reading