The App Architecting Dilemma: Multiple View Controller Storyboard vs Single View Controller with Views Reloading

As a developer working on a complex iOS application, you’re likely to encounter the age-old question of how to manage multiple views in your app’s user interface. Should you use a multiple view controller storyboard or a single view controller with views reloading? In this article, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of each approach, explore the underlying design patterns and principles, and provide guidance on making an informed decision for your specific project.

Understanding the Problem

In traditional iOS applications, Apple provides several pre-defined controller styles, such as UINavigationController, UITabBarController, and UICollectionViewController. However, when working with a custom layout or multiple views that don’t fit into these predefined categories, developers often face a dilemma. The question is whether to use a single view controller managing all the views or multiple view controllers for each specific view.

Single View Controller with Views Reloading

Using a single view controller as the root of your app’s navigation hierarchy has several benefits:

• Easy to implement: Adding and removing views from the main view controller is straightforward.
• Centralized management: All views can be managed by the same controller, making it easier to perform common tasks like updating data or handling user interactions.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:

• Performance overhead: Loading and unloading multiple views can lead to performance issues if not done carefully.
• Complexity: As the number of views increases, managing them from a single view controller becomes more challenging.

To mitigate these concerns, you can use techniques like:

• View reuse: Reuse existing views instead of creating new ones whenever possible.
• Caching: Store pre-loaded views to avoid unnecessary loading and unloading.
• Lazy loading: Load only the necessary data and views when needed.

// Example of lazy loading a view
class ViewController: UIViewController {
    private lazy var contentView = ContentViewController()
    
    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        contentView.view.frame = view.bounds
        view.addSubview(contentView.view)
        
        // Load data only when needed
        contentsViewController.loadContent { [weak self] in
            guard let self = self else { return }
            self.contentView.updateContent(contents: contents)
        }
    }
}

Multiple View Controller Storyboard

Using a multiple view controller storyboard offers several advantages:

• Easier management: Each view can be managed independently by its own controller, reducing the complexity of managing multiple views from a single controller.
• Better organization: Separate controllers for each view improve code readability and maintainability.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:

• More complex setup: Creating and configuring multiple view controllers requires more effort upfront.
• Overhead: Each view controller has its own navigation stack, which can lead to increased memory usage and performance overhead.

To mitigate these concerns, you can use techniques like:

• Modular design: Organize your app’s logic into separate modules or libraries to reduce the complexity of managing multiple view controllers.
• Protocol-oriented programming: Use protocols to define common behavior between view controllers, making it easier to write code that works with multiple controllers.

// Example of using a protocol to define common behavior
protocol ViewController {
    func updateContent(contents: Contents)
}

class ContentViewViewController: UIViewController, ViewController {
    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        // Update content implementation
    }
    
    func updateContent(contents: Contents) {
        // Implementation specific to ContentViewController
    }
}

Design Patterns and Principles

When deciding between a single view controller with views reloading or multiple view controllers for each specific view, consider the following design patterns and principles:

• MVC (Model-View-Controller): The traditional architecture pattern that separates concerns into three main components. In the context of this discussion, MVC can be applied by using separate view controllers for each view.
• MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel): A variation of the MVC pattern that uses a ViewModel to act as an intermediary between the Model and View. MVVM is particularly useful when working with complex data models or APIs.
• Single Responsibility Principle: This principle states that a class should have only one reason to change. In the context of view controllers, this means each controller should handle a specific task or concern.

Best Practices

To make an informed decision about whether to use a single view controller with views reloading or multiple view controllers for each specific view, follow these best practices:

• Start simple: Begin with a single view controller and gradually introduce complexity as needed.
• Use protocols: Define common behavior between view controllers using protocols, making it easier to write code that works with multiple controllers.
• Follow design patterns: Apply established design patterns like MVC or MVVM to structure your app’s logic and improve maintainability.
• Test thoroughly: Perform thorough testing to ensure your architecture meets the requirements of your application.

By considering the pros and cons, understanding the underlying design patterns and principles, and following best practices, you can make an informed decision about which approach is best for your specific project. Remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; the key is finding a balance between complexity and maintainability that works for your app.

Last modified on 2023-09-18