TestCatalystPlugin

Demonstrate running Mac Catalyst with AppKit plugin bundle

Background

We would like to include some natvie Mac experiences (e.g. NSWindow, Menu Bar Extra) while building Catalyst-based app.

Works

• In order to use AppKit components, we learn to include a plugin target which builds on Cocoa framework.
• We also want to use CocoaPods to include 3rd-party frameworks
• Some UI-related frameworks use alias to share features
  • DynamicColor (UIColor vs NSColor)
  • BonMot (UIFont vs NSFont)
  • PinLayout (UIView vs NSView)

Expectation

• These frameworks use corresponding classes when included in iOS or macOS based apps.
• For hosting app using Catalyst, it should pick UIKit related system frameworks like UIKit
• For plugin, it should pick AppKit related system frameworks like Cocoa

Problem

• While running the plugin with frameworks, the app crashes
• It shows Symbol not found with other console error messages
• For example, in the case of DynamicColor, it tells that NSColor or alias DynamicColor is not found

To reproduce

1. Run pod install to install the frameworks using CocoaPods
2. Open the workspace using the workspace file
3. FirstViewController runs the UIKit Catalyst codes
4. SecondViewController runs the plugin code which attempts to load symbols from frameworks

Observation

If I import the framework source codes to the plugin by manually copying them, these codes can be built flaslessly under Cocoa environment.