At Airbnb, we recognize that developer experience is key to good engineering. Our team specifically — Mobile Developer Infra — has a goal…
Overview
The article discusses Airbnb's experience in integrating Buck for building mixed-language iOS projects, specifically those using Swift and Objective-C. It highlights the improvements in build times and app size, while also addressing the challenges faced during the implementation process.
What You'll Learn
1
How to optimize iOS app build times using Buck
2
Why mixed-language projects present unique challenges in iOS development
3
When to use bridging headers in mixed-language iOS projects
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Familiarity with Swift and Objective-C programming languages
- Basic understanding of Buck build system(optional)
Key Questions Answered
How does Buck improve build times for mixed-language iOS projects?
Buck enables faster Continuous Integration (CI) builds by approximately 50%, while also reducing app size by about 30%. This is achieved through its static library linking approach, which differs from Xcode's dynamic linking.
What are the main challenges when using Buck for mixed-language iOS projects?
The main challenges include the inability to use the -import-underlying-module flag, issues with bridging headers, and the need to replace @import statements with #import in generated code. These challenges arise due to Buck's handling of modules and header files differently than Xcode.
What specific improvements were seen after integrating Buck?
After integrating Buck, Airbnb experienced a 50% reduction in CI build times and a 30% decrease in app size. These improvements are significant for optimizing the development workflow and enhancing the overall developer experience.
How does Buck handle module imports differently than Xcode?
Unlike Xcode, which generates dynamically-linked frameworks, Buck treats modules as static libraries, linking them together into a single executable. This can reduce binary size but complicates imports in mixed-language projects.
Key Statistics & Figures
CI build time improvement
50%
This improvement was observed after integrating Buck into the iOS app build process.
App size reduction
30%
The reduction in app size was a direct result of Buck's static linking approach.
Technologies & Tools
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Build System
Buck
Used for building mixed-language iOS projects to optimize build times and reduce app size.
Programming Language
Swift
One of the primary languages used in the iOS codebase.
Programming Language
Objective-c
The other primary language used in the mixed-language iOS codebase.
Key Actionable Insights
1Consider using Buck for your iOS projects if you are looking to improve build performance and reduce app size.Airbnb's experience shows that Buck can lead to significant improvements, particularly for teams managing mixed-language codebases.
2Be aware of the limitations of bridging headers when using Buck, as they require explicit handling.Understanding how Buck processes headers can help avoid common pitfalls during development, ensuring smoother integration of Swift and Objective-C.
3Utilize the sample project provided by Airbnb to familiarize yourself with Buck's implementation in mixed-language projects.This practical resource can serve as a valuable reference for developers looking to implement similar solutions in their own projects.
Common Pitfalls
1
Failing to properly manage bridging headers can lead to build errors in mixed-language projects.
This issue arises because Buck does not generate the necessary header maps that Xcode does, requiring developers to explicitly specify bridging headers.
2
Using @import statements in Objective-C code can cause compilation issues with Buck.
Since Buck does not generate module maps, developers must replace @import with #import to avoid build failures, especially in generated Swift headers.
Related Concepts
Mixed-language Ios Development
Buck Build System
Swift And Objective-c Interoperability
Continuous Integration (ci) Optimization