Adding a UINavigationController to a View in Code

Introduction

In this article, we will explore how to integrate a UINavigationController with a view controller in iOS development. This is an essential concept for building complex user interfaces that utilize navigation bars and stack-based views.

Understanding Navigation Controllers

A UINavigationController is a container class that manages the display of multiple child view controllers within its navigation bar. It allows users to navigate between these child view controllers using standard gestures such as swiping left or right on the screen, tapping buttons on the navigation bar, or utilizing keyboard shortcuts.

Key Features of Navigation Controllers

• Navigation Bar: A UINavigationController includes a custom navigation bar that contains buttons for back and forward navigation.
• Child View Controllers: The navigation controller can display multiple child view controllers within its navigation bar.
• Stack-Based Views: Navigation controllers utilize a stack-based view to manage the display of child view controllers. This means that when you push a new view controller onto the navigation stack, it replaces any previously displayed views.

Creating a View Controller

Before we dive into adding a UINavigationController to our view, let’s create a basic view controller using Objective-C or Swift:

#import <UIKit/UIKit.h>

@interface MyViewController : UIViewController

@end

import UIKit

class MyViewController: UIViewController {

}

Creating a UINavigationController

Now that we have created a view controller, let’s create a UINavigationController and link it to our view:

#import <UIKit/UIKit.h>

@interface MyViewController : UIViewController

@property (nonatomic, strong) UINavigationController *navigationController;

@end

import UIKit

class MyViewController: UIViewController {

    var navigationController: UINavigationController!

    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        
        // Create a new navigation controller
        let navigationController = UINavigationController(rootViewController: self)
        self.navigationController = navigationController
        
        // Set the navigation bar tint color to black
        self.navigationController.navigationBarTintColor = UIColor.blackColor
    }

}

Linking the View Controller with Navigation Controller

To link our view controller with the UINavigationController, we need to push it onto the navigation stack. Here’s an example of how you can do this:

#import <UIKit/UIKit.h>

@interface MyViewController : UIViewController

@property (nonatomic, strong) UINavigationController *navigationController;

@end

import UIKit

class MyViewController: UIViewController {

    var navigationController: UINavigationController!

    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        
        // Create a new view controller to push onto the navigation stack
        let myViewController = MySecondViewController()
        
        // Push the view controller onto the navigation stack
        self.navigationController.pushViewController(myViewController, animated: false)
        
        // Set the navigation bar tint color to black
        self.navigationController.navigationBarTintColor = UIColor.blackColor
    }
    
}

Best Practices for Using Navigation Controllers

Here are some best practices for using UINavigationController effectively in your iOS app:

1. Use Navigation Controllers to Manage Complex User Interfaces

Navigation controllers are perfect for managing complex user interfaces that include multiple views, forms, and other interactive elements.

2. Push New View Controllers onto the Navigation Stack to Add New Content

Pushing new view controllers onto the navigation stack is an effective way to add new content to your app without having to recreate the entire interface.

3. Use a Navigation Bar to Provide Users with Easy Access to Common Actions

Navigation bars are perfect for providing users with easy access to common actions such as “Back” or “Home”.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored how to add a UINavigationController to a view in code and link it with the view controller. We also discussed best practices for using navigation controllers effectively in your iOS app.

Additional Resources

• Apple Developer Documentation: Navigation Controllers
• Apple Developer Documentation: Managing View Controllers
• Ray Wenderlich’s Tutorial on Navigation Controllers in iOS 7

Last modified on 2023-11-19