Effortless Command-Line Parsing with Kommander for iOS

Robert Harris -

kommander-ios, an open-source project by intelygenz, offers a versatile command-line parser library for iOS applications. It is celebrated for its simplicity, rich features, and robust functionality.

GitHub Repository: kommander-ios

Key Features:

  1. Command-Line Parsing: Enables seamless command-line parsing, including parameter analysis and command execution.
  2. Custom Styling: Facilitates the customization of the command-line parser's appearance, such as format and help information.
  3. Custom Behavior: Empowers developers to define custom behaviors for the command-line parser, including command callbacks.

Use Cases:
kommander-ios is ideal for implementing command-line parsers in iOS applications, such as configuring apps and aiding in debugging.

Getting Started:

  1. Add Dependency:
    Begin by adding the required dependency to your project:
  2. Create Kommander:
    Initialize Kommander in your code.
  3. Add Commands:
    Add commands to Kommander, specifying their functionality.
  4. Parse Command-Line Arguments:
    Parse command-line arguments to determine the command to execute.
  5. Execute Commands:
    Execute the parsed command.

Example:

// Add Dependency
pod 'Kommander'

// Create Kommander
let kommander = Kommander()

// Add Command
kommander.addCommand("help", { (args: [String]) in
    // Print help information
    print("Usage:")
    print("  help")
    print("  <command> [options]")
})

// Parse Command-Line Arguments
let arguments = CommandLine.arguments
let command = kommander.parse(arguments)

// Execute Command
command.execute()

Advantages:

  • User-Friendly: Easily implement command-line parsing by adding dependencies and using Kommander.
  • Feature-Rich: Supports command-line parsing, custom styling, and custom behaviors.
  • Strong Compatibility: Compatible with iOS 11 and newer versions.

In summary, kommander-ios is a highly valuable open-source project that simplifies command-line parsing in iOS applications. It excels in user-friendliness, feature richness, and compatibility, making it suitable for various use cases.