Creating the Screenlet Class

Recall that the Screenlet class is the main component that governs the Screenlet’s behavior. Also recall that a list Screenlet’s class must do the following:

• Extend BaseListScreenlet. Since BaseListScreenlet provides most of the functionality needed by Screenlet classes, extending it lets you focus on the functionality unique to your Screenlet.
• Define the configurable IBInspectable properties the Screenlet needs.
• Create and return an instance of your Interactor.
• Respond to the Screenlet’s events via the delegate.

The Screenlet class you created when you created the delegate is currently empty. You’ll complete it now.

Follow these steps to complete the EntryListScreenlet class in EntryListScreenlet.swift:

1. Define public, IBInspectable, Int64 properties for the groupId and guestbookId. Although the app developer can set groupId via liferay-server-context.plist, and the guestbookId is set dynamically, it’s also a good idea to let the developer set their values in Interface Builder. Give both properties an initial value of 0. Your Screenlet class should now look like this:

   public class EntryListScreenlet: BaseListScreenlet {
   
       @IBInspectable public var groupId: Int64 = 0
       @IBInspectable public var guestbookId: Int64 = 0
   }
   

2. Override the createPageLoadInteractor method to create and return an instance of EntryListPageLoadInteractor. This method includes page and computeRowCount arguments, which you pass to the Interactor’s constructor along with groupId and guestbookId:

   override public func createPageLoadInteractor(
       page: Int,
       computeRowCount: Bool) -> BaseListPageLoadInteractor {
   
       return EntryListPageLoadInteractor(screenlet: self,
                                                page: page,
                                                computeRowCount: computeRowCount,
                                                groupId: self.groupId,
                                                guestbookId: self.guestbookId)
   }
   

3. Create a computed property to get a reference to EntryListScreenletDelegate:

   public var entryListDelegate: EntryListScreenletDelegate? {
       return delegate as? EntryListScreenletDelegate
   }
   

   You’ll use this property to handle the Screenlet’s events via the delegate’s methods.

4. Override the BaseListScreenlet methods that handle the Screenlet’s events. Because these events correspond to those handled by your delegate, you’ll call the corresponding delegate methods in these BaseListScreenlet methods:

   • onLoadPageResult: Called when the Screenlet loads a page successfully. Override this method to call the superclass’s onLoadPageResult method, then call your delegate’s screenlet(_:onEntryListResponse:) method:

       override public func onLoadPageResult(page: Int, rows: [AnyObject], rowCount: Int) {
           super.onLoadPageResult(page: page, rows: rows, rowCount: rowCount)
     
           entryListDelegate?.screenlet?(screenlet: self, onEntryListResponse: rows as! [EntryModel])
       }
     

   • onLoadPageError: Called when the Screenlet fails to load a page. Override this method to call the superclass’s onLoadPageError method, then call your delegate’s screenlet(_:onEntryListError:) method:

       override public func onLoadPageError(page: Int, error: NSError) {
           super.onLoadPageError(page: page, error: error)
     
           entryListDelegate?.screenlet?(screenlet: self, onEntryListError: error)
       }
     

   • onSelectedRow: Called when an item is selected in the list. Override this method to call your delegate’s screenlet(_:onEntrySelected:) method:

       override public func onSelectedRow(_ row: AnyObject) {
           entryListDelegate?.screenlet?(screenlet: self, onEntrySelected: row as! EntryModel)
       }
     

Awesome! Your Screenlet class is finished. You’re also done with Entry List Screenlet! Now you’re ready to use Entry List Screenlet alongside Guestbook List Screenlet. The following section of this Learning Path concludes with both Screenlets working together in harmony.