Exploring New Features in Xcode 9 - Enhancements and Improvements

Welcome to a detailed exploration of the latest updates in Xcode 9. This version brings a wealth of improvements in terms of functionality, usability, and performance. Whether you're a new user or an experienced developer, Xcode 9 offers a range of features that will enhance your development workflow.

Beautiful and Attractive Simulators

Xcode 9 introduces a beautifully designed simulator that offers both a black theme and enhanced functionality for real iPhone emulation. You can now silently run your simulator and manage sound levels by adjusting between high and low settings. This makes it easier than ever to test your application's interface in various scenarios.

Color Management Improvements

One of the many useful enhancements in Xcode 9 is the ability to search and manage colors more efficiently. If you type a color name, Xcode will display all the colors used in your project and allow you to quickly replace a color name with another. This feature saves time and helps keep your project consistent and well-organized.

Minor Enhancements and Fixes

Other minor enhancements include:

Preview of open and close loops with a light-color line to enhance readability. Changes in error reporting—Xcode 9 now provides a more user-friendly display of errors, making it easier to debug. Improvements in the source code editor that are both intelligent and user-friendly. Refactoring tools to simplify renaming classes or methods directly in the code. An improved fast search feature, ensuring that the Find navigator returns results instantly.

Updated Xcode 9.0.1: The latest update adds a robust Xcode Server built-in, allowing continuous integration bots to run on any Mac with Xcode 9 without the need for macOS Server installation.

New Features Overview

Multiple Simulators: Run multiple simulators simultaneously to test different device configurations. Wireless Deployment and Debugging: Deploy and debug your application wirelessly, eliminating the need for USB cables and using Wi-Fi instead. GitHub Integration: Access your GitHub repository directly from Xcode, streamlining your development process. Improved Source Code Editor: The editor is described as both sleek and smart, with enhanced error detection and code completion. Swift Refactoring: Easily rename classes or methods with minimal efforts provided by built-in refactoring tools. Super-fast Search: The Find navigator performs searches instantly, enhancing developer productivity. New Build System: An opt-in preview of the new build system for improved reliability and performance. New Playground Templates: Includes iOS templates that run well on both Xcode and Swift Playgrounds on iPad.

For a comprehensive overview of the new features in Xcode 9, you can refer to the detailed article titled 'What’s New in Xcode 9' by Saroj Raut, which is available on Medium.