Non open-source cocoapods

Question

Is it required for a cocoapod framework to be open source? I have created a cocoapod swift framework on git.

And when I create an ios application and config the pod information in my Podfile.

It works fine.Now I want to protect my source code, expect other guys can use my framework, but can not see my framework source code.

Is that possible?

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible. You can create a framework, compile it and distribute as a cocoapod. Use the vendored_framework or vendored_frameworks key in your podspec. An example podspec is the Google-Mobile-Ads-SDK pod that is distributed exactly that way.

{
 "name": "Google-Mobile-Ads-SDK",
 "version": "7.6.0",
 "summary": "Monetize your mobile applications with Google ads",
 "description": "The Google Mobile Ads SDK is the latest generation in Google mobile advertising featuring refined ad formats and streamlined APIs for access to mobile ad networks and advertising solutions.",
 "homepage": "https://developers.google.com/admob/",
 "license": {
 "type": "Copyright",
 "text": "Copyright 2011 Google Inc. All Rights Reserved."
 },
 "authors": "Google Inc.",
 "platforms": {
 "ios": "6.0"
 },
 "source": {
 "http": "https://dl.google.com/googleadmobadssdk/googlemobileadssdkios-7.6.0.zip"
 },
 "preserve_paths": "GoogleMobileAdsSdkiOS-7.6.0",
 "vendored_frameworks": "GoogleMobileAdsSdkiOS-7.6.0/GoogleMobileAds.framework",
 "weak_frameworks": "AdSupport",
 "frameworks": [
 "AudioToolbox",
 "AVFoundation",
 "CoreGraphics",
 "CoreMedia",
 "CoreTelephony",
 "EventKit",
 "EventKitUI",
 "MessageUI",
 "StoreKit",
 "SystemConfiguration"
 ],
 "requires_arc": true
}

• fcbflying: you mean I need to add the 'vendored_frameworks' line in my podspec? How about the value of it, I can not understand well what is this property used for.
• fcbflying: "vendored_frameworks" is used to integrate third custom framework, why will it protect my source non-open.
• Adam: Do not include source code in your pod, only the compiled framework.
• fcbflying: only add the 'vendored_frameworks' property will work? What should be its value? My .framework path?And where the path is relative to?
• Adam: Take a look at the example. The compiled framework is uploaded to some server, there is no source code at all.

Answer 2

CocoaPods closed source

CocoaPods^[About] supports open source and closed source(binary) distribution

To create closed source you should

1. Create a fat binary^[Vocabulary] - to allow working with it on simulator and real device
2. Zip and publish(e.g. zip attachment for GitHub)

The key point is to use parameters in your podspec:

• source - http link to a .zip file with a fat binary
• vendored_frameworks - path to your framework in the .zip file pointed by the source

Take a look at guidelines here, here