Understanding Custom Cells in iOS Tables Views: A Deep Dive into `InscriptionCustomCell`

Introduction to Custom Cells

When it comes to building tables views in iOS, using custom cells provides a flexible and powerful way to present data. By creating a custom cell class, you can design the layout, appearance, and behavior of individual table view cells. In this article, we’ll explore the InscriptionCustomCell example provided in the Stack Overflow question and delve into the world of custom cells.

What are Custom Cells?

A custom cell is an instance of a cell class that inherits from UITableViewCell. It allows you to customize the appearance and behavior of individual table view cells. You can add your own properties, implement custom layouts, and handle user interactions in a way that’s tailored to your specific use case.

Creating a Custom Cell Class

To create a custom cell class, follow these steps:

Create a new file in your project and name it after your cell class (e.g., InscriptionCustomCell.swift).
Inherit from UITableViewCell and implement the required methods:

class InscriptionCustomCell: UITableViewCell {
    // Properties and instance variables go here
}

Design the layout of your cell using Auto Layout or other layout techniques.
Implement custom logic for handling user interactions, such as selecting cells.

Examining the `InscriptionCustomCell` Code

Let’s take a closer look at the provided code:

- (UITableViewCell *)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView cellForRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath {
    // ...

    if(indexPath.section == 0) {
        [cell.titreCell setText:[model.listModuleInfoPerso objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
        [cell.contenuCell setPlaceholder:[model.listModuleInfoPerso objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
    } else {
        [cell.titreCell setText:[model.listModuleInfoSupp objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
        [cell.contenuCell setPlaceholder:[model.listModuleInfoSupp objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
    }

    return cell;
}

In this code, we’re using an if-else statement to determine which values to display on the titreCell and contenuCell. We’re assuming that model.listModuleInfoPerso and model.listModuleInfoSupp are arrays of strings containing data for each cell.

The Issue with Custom Cells

The problem with custom cells, as demonstrated in the provided code, is that they don’t seem to be displaying any values. Let’s take a closer look at what might be going on:

NSLog Statement

To help diagnose the issue, let’s add an NSLog statement inside the [model.listModuleInfoPerso objectAtIndex:indexPath.row] line:

if(indexPath.section == 0) {
    [cell.titreCell setText:[model.listModuleInfoPerso objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
    NSLog(@"Value: %@", [model.listModuleInfoPerso objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]);
    [cell.contenuCell setPlaceholder:[model.listModuleInfoPerso objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
} else {
    // ...
}

Running the app will output something like this:

2019-02-20 14:30:00.000 App[1234] Value: (null)
2019-02-20 14:30:00.000 App[1234] Value: (null)

As expected, both values are nil. This indicates that there’s an issue with accessing the data in model.listModuleInfoPerso.

Resolving the Issue

To resolve this issue, we need to ensure that the data is being populated correctly. Here are some potential causes and solutions:

1. Data Not Populated Correctly

Double-check that your data is being loaded correctly into model.listModuleInfoPerso. Make sure it’s not an empty array or nil.

if(!model.listModuleInfoPerso.count) {
    NSLog(@"No data available");
} else if(indexPath.section == 0) {
    // ...
}

2. Nil Values in Data Array

Check that the values in your model.listModuleInfoPerso array are not nil. If they are, you’ll need to add null checks or implement a different approach to display the data.

if(indexPath.section == 0) {
    NSString *value = [model.listModuleInfoPerso objectAtIndex:indexPath.row];
    if(value != nil) {
        [cell.titreCell setText:value];
        [cell.contenuCell setPlaceholder:value];
    } else {
        NSLog(@"Nil value encountered");
    }
}

3. Incorrect Table View Configuration

Verify that your table view is configured correctly, including the section headers and rows.

- (NSInteger)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView numberOfRowsInSection:(NSInteger)section {
    // ...
}

- (UITableViewCell *)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView cellForRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath {
    // ...

    if(indexPath.section == 0) {
        [cell.titreCell setText:[model.listModuleInfoPerso objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
        [cell.contenuCell setPlaceholder:[model.listModuleInfoPerso objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
    } else {
        [cell.titreCell setText:[model.listModuleInfoSupp objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
        [cell.contenuCell setPlaceholder:[model.listModuleInfoSupp objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]];
    }
}

By following these steps and implementing the necessary changes, you should be able to resolve the issue with your custom cell displaying no values. Remember to always verify that your data is being loaded correctly and that there are no nil or empty values in your array.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the world of custom cells in iOS tables views, including creating a custom cell class, designing layouts, and handling user interactions. We’ve also delved into the provided InscriptionCustomCell example and examined potential causes for displaying no values. By implementing null checks, verifying data loading, and configuring your table view correctly, you can overcome common issues and create robust custom cells that display your desired data.

Last modified on 2023-05-28

Understanding Custom Cells in iOS Tables Views: A Deep Dive into InscriptionCustomCell