How to add constraints programmatically using Swift

Question

I'm trying to figure this out since last week without going any step further. Ok, so I need to apply some constraints programmatically in Swift to a UIView using this code:

var new_view:UIView! = UIView(frame: CGRectMake(0, 0, 100, 100));
new_view.backgroundColor = UIColor.redColor();
view.addSubview(new_view);

var constX:NSLayoutConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: new_view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.CenterX, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.Equal, toItem: self.view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.CenterX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0);
self.view.addConstraint(constX);

var constY:NSLayoutConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: new_view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.CenterY, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.Equal, toItem: self.view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.CenterY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0);
self.view.addConstraint(constY);

var constW:NSLayoutConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: new_view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.Width, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.Equal, toItem: new_view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.Width, multiplier: 1, constant: 0);
self.view.addConstraint(constW);

var constH:NSLayoutConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: new_view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.Height, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.Equal, toItem: new_view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.Height, multiplier: 1, constant: 0);
self.view.addConstraint(constH);

But Xcode returns this weird output:

2014-10-03 09:48:12.657 Test[35088:2454916] Unable to simultaneously satisfy constraints.  Probably at least one of the constraints in the following list is one you don't want. Try this: (1) look at each constraint and try to figure out which you don't expect; (2) find the code that added the unwanted constraint or constraints and fix it. (Note: If you're seeing NSAutoresizingMaskLayoutConstraints that you don't understand, refer to the documentation for the UIView property translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints) 
(
"<NSLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea446830 UIView:0x7fa4ea429290.centerX == UIView:0x7fa4ea4470f0.centerX>",
"<NSAutoresizingMaskLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea4516c0 h=--& v=--& UIView:0x7fa4ea429290.midX == + 50>",
"<NSLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea452830 'UIView-Encapsulated-Layout-Width' H:[UIView:0x7fa4ea4470f0(375)]>",
"<NSAutoresizingMaskLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea446db0 h=-&- v=-&- 'UIView-Encapsulated-Layout-Left' H:|-(0)-[UIView:0x7fa4ea4470f0]   (Names: '|':UIWindow:0x7fa4ea444b20 )>"
)

Will attempt to recover by breaking constraint <NSLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea446830 UIView:0x7fa4ea429290.centerX == UIView:0x7fa4ea4470f0.centerX>

Make a symbolic breakpoint at UIViewAlertForUnsatisfiableConstraints to catch this in the debugger. The methods in the UIConstraintBasedLayoutDebugging category on UIView listed in
<UIKit/UIView.h> may also be helpful.

2014-10-03 09:48:12.658 Test[35088:2454916] Unable to simultaneously satisfy constraints.  Probably at least one of the constraints in the following list is one you don't want. Try this: (1) look at each constraint and try to figure out which you don't expect; (2) find the code that added the unwanted constraint or constraints and fix it. (Note: If you're seeing NSAutoresizingMaskLayoutConstraints that you don't understand, refer to the documentation for the UIView property translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints)
(
"<NSLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea44d160 UIView:0x7fa4ea429290.centerY == UIView:0x7fa4ea4470f0.centerY>",
"<NSAutoresizingMaskLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea451b30 h=--& v=--& UIView:0x7fa4ea429290.midY == + 50>",
"<NSLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea44cf00 'UIView-Encapsulated-Layout-Height' V:[UIView:0x7fa4ea4470f0(667)]>",
"<NSAutoresizingMaskLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea452700 h=-&- v=-&- 'UIView-Encapsulated-Layout-Top' V:|-(0)-[UIView:0x7fa4ea4470f0]  (Names: '|':UIWindow:0x7fa4ea444b20 )>"
)

Will attempt to recover by breaking constraint <NSLayoutConstraint:0x7fa4ea44d160 UIView:0x7fa4ea429290.centerY == UIView:0x7fa4ea4470f0.centerY>

Make a symbolic breakpoint at UIViewAlertForUnsatisfiableConstraints to catch this in the debugger. The methods in the UIConstraintBasedLayoutDebugging category on UIView listed in <UIKit/UIView.h> may also be helpful.

Can you help me? Thanks a lot

Answer 1

Do you plan to have a squared UIView of width: 100 and Height: 100 centered inside the UIView of an UIViewController ? If so, you may try one of the 6 following Auto Layout styles (Swift 5 / iOS 12.2):

---

1. Using NSLayoutConstraint initializer

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)

    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let horizontalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
    let verticalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
    let widthConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.width, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: nil, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.notAnAttribute, multiplier: 1, constant: 100)
    let heightConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.height, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: nil, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.notAnAttribute, multiplier: 1, constant: 100)
    view.addConstraints([horizontalConstraint, verticalConstraint, widthConstraint, heightConstraint])
}

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)

    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let horizontalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
    let verticalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
    let widthConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.width, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: nil, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.notAnAttribute, multiplier: 1, constant: 100)
    let heightConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.height, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: nil, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.notAnAttribute, multiplier: 1, constant: 100)
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate([horizontalConstraint, verticalConstraint, widthConstraint, heightConstraint])
}

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)

    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0).isActive = true
    NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0).isActive = true
    NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.width, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: nil, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.notAnAttribute, multiplier: 1, constant: 100).isActive = true
    NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.height, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: nil, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.notAnAttribute, multiplier: 1, constant: 100).isActive = true
}

---

2. Using Visual Format Language

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)

    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let views = ["view": view!, "newView": newView]
    let horizontalConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "H:[view]-(<=0)-[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions.alignAllCenterY, metrics: nil, views: views)
    let verticalConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "V:[view]-(<=0)-[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions.alignAllCenterX, metrics: nil, views: views)
    view.addConstraints(horizontalConstraints)
    view.addConstraints(verticalConstraints)
}

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)

    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let views = ["view": view!, "newView": newView]
    let horizontalConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "H:[view]-(<=0)-[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions.alignAllCenterY, metrics: nil, views: views)
    let verticalConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "V:[view]-(<=0)-[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions.alignAllCenterX, metrics: nil, views: views)
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate(horizontalConstraints)
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate(verticalConstraints)
}

---

3. Using a mix of NSLayoutConstraint initializer and Visual Format Language

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)

    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let views = ["newView": newView]
    let widthConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "H:[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions(rawValue: 0), metrics: nil, views: views)
    let heightConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "V:[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions(rawValue: 0), metrics: nil, views: views)
    let horizontalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
    let verticalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
    view.addConstraints(widthConstraints)
    view.addConstraints(heightConstraints)
    view.addConstraints([horizontalConstraint, verticalConstraint])
}

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)

    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let views = ["newView": newView]
    let widthConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "H:[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions(rawValue: 0), metrics: nil, views: views)
    let heightConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "V:[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions(rawValue: 0), metrics: nil, views: views)
    let horizontalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
    let verticalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate(widthConstraints)
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate(heightConstraints)
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate([horizontalConstraint, verticalConstraint])
}

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)

    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let views = ["newView": newView]
    let widthConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "H:[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions(rawValue: 0), metrics: nil, views: views)
    let heightConstraints = NSLayoutConstraint.constraints(withVisualFormat: "V:[newView(100)]", options: NSLayoutConstraint.FormatOptions(rawValue: 0), metrics: nil, views: views)
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate(widthConstraints)
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate(heightConstraints)
    NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0).isActive = true
    NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, relatedBy: NSLayoutConstraint.Relation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutConstraint.Attribute.centerY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0).isActive = true
}

---

4. Using UIView.AutoresizingMask

Note: Springs and Struts will be translated into corresponding auto layout constraints at runtime.

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView(frame: CGRect(x: 0, y: 0, width: 100, height: 100))
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)

    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = true
    newView.center = CGPoint(x: view.bounds.midX, y: view.bounds.midY)
    newView.autoresizingMask = [UIView.AutoresizingMask.flexibleLeftMargin, UIView.AutoresizingMask.flexibleRightMargin, UIView.AutoresizingMask.flexibleTopMargin, UIView.AutoresizingMask.flexibleBottomMargin]
}

---

5. Using NSLayoutAnchor

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)
    
    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let horizontalConstraint = newView.centerXAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerXAnchor)
    let verticalConstraint = newView.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerYAnchor)
    let widthConstraint = newView.widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 100)
    let heightConstraint = newView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 100)
    view.addConstraints([horizontalConstraint, verticalConstraint, widthConstraint, heightConstraint])
}

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)
    
    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let horizontalConstraint = newView.centerXAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerXAnchor)
    let verticalConstraint = newView.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerYAnchor)
    let widthConstraint = newView.widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 100)
    let heightConstraint = newView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 100)
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate([horizontalConstraint, verticalConstraint, widthConstraint, heightConstraint])
}

override func viewDidLoad() {
    let newView = UIView()
    newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
    view.addSubview(newView)
    
    newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    newView.centerXAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerXAnchor).isActive = true
    newView.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerYAnchor).isActive = true
    newView.widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 100).isActive = true
    newView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 100).isActive = true
}

---

6. Using intrinsicContentSize and NSLayoutAnchor

import UIKit

class CustomView: UIView {
    
    override var intrinsicContentSize: CGSize {
        return CGSize(width: 100, height: 100)
    }
    
}

class ViewController: UIViewController {
    
    override func viewDidLoad() {
        let newView = CustomView()
        newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
        view.addSubview(newView)
        
        newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        let horizontalConstraint = newView.centerXAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerXAnchor)
        let verticalConstraint = newView.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerYAnchor)
        NSLayoutConstraint.activate([horizontalConstraint, verticalConstraint])
    }
    
}

---

Result:

Answer 2

It helps me to learn visually, so this is a supplemental answer.

Boilerplate code

override func viewDidLoad() {
    super.viewDidLoad()

    let myView = UIView()
    myView.backgroundColor = UIColor.blue
    myView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    view.addSubview(myView)

    // Add constraints code here
    // ...
}

Each of the following examples are independent of the others.

Pin left edge

myView.leading = leadingMargin + 20

Method 1: Anchor Style

let margins = view.layoutMarginsGuide
myView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: margins.leadingAnchor, constant: 20).isActive = true

• In addition to leadingAnchor , there is also trailingAnchor , topAnchor , and bottomAnchor .

Method 2: NSLayoutConstraint Style

NSLayoutConstraint(item: myView, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.leading, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.leadingMargin, multiplier: 1.0, constant: 20.0).isActive = true

• In addition to .leading there is also .trailing , .top , and .bottom .
• In addition to .leadingMargin there is also .trailingMargin , .topMargin , and .bottomMargin .

Set Width and Height

width = 200
height = 100

Method 1: Anchor Style

myView.widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 200).isActive = true
myView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 100).isActive = true

Method 2: NSLayoutConstraint Style

NSLayoutConstraint(item: myView, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.width, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: nil, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.notAnAttribute, multiplier: 1, constant: 200).isActive = true
NSLayoutConstraint(item: myView, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.height, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: nil, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.notAnAttribute, multiplier: 1, constant: 100).isActive = true

Center in container

myView.centerX = centerX
myView.centerY = centerY

Method 1: Anchor Style

myView.centerXAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerXAnchor).isActive = true
myView.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerYAnchor).isActive = true

Method 2: NSLayoutConstraint Style

NSLayoutConstraint(item: myView, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.centerX, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.centerX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0).isActive = true
NSLayoutConstraint(item: myView, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.centerY, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.centerY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0).isActive = true

Notes

• Anchor style is the preferred method over NSLayoutConstraint Style, however it is only available from iOS 9, so if you are supporting iOS 8 then you should still use NSLayoutConstraint Style.
• The examples above showed just the one or two constraints that were being focused on. However, in order to properly place myView in my test project I needed to have four constraints.

Further Reading

• Programmatically Creating Constraints documentation

Answer 3

If you want to fill your super view then I suggest the swifty way:

    view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    let attributes: [NSLayoutAttribute] = [.top, .bottom, .right, .left]
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate(attributes.map {
        NSLayoutConstraint(item: view, attribute: $0, relatedBy: .equal, toItem: view.superview, attribute: $0, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
    })

Other wise if you need non equal constraints check out NSLayoutAnchor as of iOS 9. Its often much easier to read that using NSLayoutConstraint directly:

    view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    view.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.superview!.topAnchor).isActive = true
    view.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.superview!.bottomAnchor).isActive = true
    view.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.superview!.leadingAnchor, constant: 10).isActive = true
    view.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.superview!.trailingAnchor, constant: 10).isActive = true

Answer 4

Constraints for multiple views in playground.

swift 3+

  var yellowView: UIView!
    var redView: UIView!

    override func loadView() {

        // UI

        let view = UIView()
        view.backgroundColor = .white

        yellowView = UIView()
        yellowView.backgroundColor = .yellow
        view.addSubview(yellowView)

        redView = UIView()
        redView.backgroundColor = .red
        view.addSubview(redView)

        // Layout
        redView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        yellowView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        NSLayoutConstraint.activate([
            yellowView.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.topAnchor, constant: 20),
            yellowView.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.leadingAnchor, constant: 20),
            yellowView.widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 80),
            yellowView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 80),

            redView.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.bottomAnchor, constant: -20),
            redView.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.trailingAnchor,constant: -20),
            redView.widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 80),
            redView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 80)
            ])

        self.view = view
    }

In my opinion xcode playground is the best place for learning adding constraints programmatically.

Answer 5

We can easily do this with in swift 5.1

setup 1

• subview align to view center

• subview width height set using float

  view.addSubview(myView1) myView1.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false NSLayoutConstraint.activate([ myView1.centerXAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerXAnchor), myView1.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerYAnchor), myView1.widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 100), myView1.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 100), ])

setup 2

• subview align to view leading and top anchor

• subview width set using view width height

   view.addSubview(myView2) myView2.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false NSLayoutConstraint.activate([ myView2.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.leadingAnchor,constant: 16), myView2.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.safeAreaLayoutGuide.topAnchor,constant: 16), myView2.widthAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.widthAnchor, multiplier: 0.3), myView2.heightAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.heightAnchor, multiplier: 0.3) ])

Answer 6

The problem, as the error message suggests, is that you have constraints of type NSAutoresizingMaskLayoutConstraints that conflict with your explicit constraints, because new_view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints is set to true.

This is the default setting for views you create in code. You can turn it off like this:

var new_view:UIView! = UIView(frame: CGRectMake(0, 0, 100, 100))
new_view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false

Also, your width and height constraints are weird. If you want the view to have a constant width, this is the proper way:

new_view.addConstraint(NSLayoutConstraint(
    item:new_view, attribute:NSLayoutAttribute.Width,
    relatedBy:NSLayoutRelation.Equal,
    toItem:nil, attribute:NSLayoutAttribute.NotAnAttribute,
    multiplier:0, constant:100))

(Replace 100 by the width you want it to have.)

If your deployment target is iOS 9.0 or later, you can use this shorter code:

new_view.widthAnchor.constraintEqualToConstant(100).active = true

Anyway, for a layout like this (fixed size and centered in parent view), it would be simpler to use the autoresizing mask and let the system translate the mask into constraints:

var new_view:UIView! = UIView(frame: CGRectMake(0, 0, 100, 100))
new_view.backgroundColor = UIColor.redColor();
view.addSubview(new_view);

// This is the default setting but be explicit anyway...
new_view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = true

new_view.autoresizingMask = [ .FlexibleTopMargin, .FlexibleBottomMargin,
    .FlexibleLeftMargin, .FlexibleRightMargin ]

new_view.center = CGPointMake(view.bounds.midX, view.bounds.midY)

Note that using autoresizing is perfectly legitimate even when you're also using autolayout. (UIKit still uses autoresizing in lots of places internally.) The problem is that it's difficult to apply additional constraints to a view that is using autoresizing.

Answer 7

Basically it involved 3 steps

fileprivate func setupName() { 

    lblName.text = "Hello world"

    // Step 1
    lblName.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false

    //Step 2
    self.view.addSubview(lblName)

    //Step 3
    NSLayoutConstraint.activate([
        lblName.centerXAnchor.constraint(equalTo: self.view.centerXAnchor),
        lblName.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: self.view.centerYAnchor)
    ])
}

This puts label "hello world" in center of screen.

Please refer link Autolayout constraints programmatically

Answer 8

Updated for Swift 3

import UIKit

class ViewController: UIViewController {

let redView: UIView = {

    let view = UIView()
    view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    view.backgroundColor = .red
    return view
}()

override func viewDidLoad() {
    super.viewDidLoad()

    setupViews()
    setupAutoLayout()
}

func setupViews() {

    view.backgroundColor = .white
    view.addSubview(redView)
}

func setupAutoLayout() {

    // Available from iOS 9 commonly known as Anchoring System for AutoLayout...
    redView.leftAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.leftAnchor, constant: 20).isActive = true
    redView.rightAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.rightAnchor, constant: -20).isActive = true

    redView.centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.centerYAnchor).isActive = true
    redView.heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: 300).isActive = true

    // You can also modified above last two lines as follows by commenting above & uncommenting below lines...
    // redView.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.topAnchor, constant: 20).isActive = true
    // redView.bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.bottomAnchor).isActive = true
 }
}

Type of Constraints

 /*
// regular use
1.leftAnchor
2.rightAnchor
3.topAnchor
// intermediate use
4.widthAnchor
5.heightAnchor
6.bottomAnchor
7.centerXAnchor
8.centerYAnchor
// rare use
9.leadingAnchor
10.trailingAnchor
etc. (note: very project to project)
*/

Answer 9

Auto layout is realized by applying constraints on images. Use NSLayoutConstraint. It is possible to implement an ideal and beautiful design on all devices. Please try the code below.

import UIKit

class ViewController: UIViewController {

override func viewDidLoad() {
super.viewDidLoad()

let myImageView:UIImageView = UIImageView()
myImageView.backgroundColor = UIColor.red
myImageView.image = UIImage(named:"sample_dog")!
myImageView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
myImageView.layer.borderColor = UIColor.red.cgColor
myImageView.layer.borderWidth = 10
self.view.addSubview(myImageView)
        
view.removeConstraints(view.constraints)


view.addConstraint(NSLayoutConstraint(
item: myImageView,
attribute: .top,
relatedBy: .equal,
toItem: view,
attribute: .top,
multiplier: 1,
constant:100)
    
)

view.addConstraint(NSLayoutConstraint(
item: myImageView,
attribute: .centerX,
relatedBy: .equal,
toItem: view,
attribute: .centerX,
multiplier: 1,
constant:0)
)
    
view.addConstraint(NSLayoutConstraint(
item: myImageView,
attribute: .height,
relatedBy: .equal,
toItem: view,
attribute: .width,
multiplier: 0.5,
constant:40))
    
view.addConstraint(NSLayoutConstraint(
item: myImageView,
attribute: .width,
relatedBy: .equal,
toItem: view,
attribute: .width,
multiplier: 0.5,
constant:40))
    
}

override func didReceiveMemoryWarning() {
    super.didReceiveMemoryWarning()
}
}

Answer 10

Would like to add some theoretical concept to Imanou Petit's answer, so that one can understand how auto layout works.

To understand auto layout consider your view as rubber's object which is shrinked initially.

To place an object on screen we need 4 mandatory things :

• X coordinate of object (horizontal position).

• Y coordinate of object (vertical position )

• Object's Width

• Object's Height.

1 X coordinate: There are multiple ways of giving x coordinates to a view.

Such as Leading constraint, Trailing constraint , Horizontally centre etc.

2 Y coordinate: There are multiple ways of giving y coordinates to a view :

Such as Top constraint, Bottom constraint , Vertical centre etc.

3 Object's width: There are two ways of giving width constrain to a view :

a. Add fixed width constraint (consider this constraint as iron rod of fixed width and you have hooked your rubber's object horizontally with it so rubber's object don't shrink or expand)

b.Do not add any width constraint but add x coordinate constraint to both end of view trailing and leading, these two constraints will expand/shrink your rubber's object by pulling/pushing it from both end, leading and trailing.

4 Object's height: Similar to width, there are two ways of giving height constraint to a view as well :

a. Add fixed height constraint (consider this constraints as iron rod of fixed height and you have hooked your rubber's object vertically with it so rubber's object don't shrink or expand)

b.Do not add any height constraint but add x coordinate constraint to both end of view top and bottom, these two constraints will expand/shrink your rubber's object pulling/pushing it from both end, top and bottom.

Answer 11

it is a little different in xcode 7.3.1. this is what i come up with

   // creating the view
        let newView = UIView()
        newView.backgroundColor = UIColor.redColor()
        newView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        view.addSubview(newView)

        // creating the constraint 

        // attribute and relation cannot be set directyl you need to create a cariable of them
        let layout11 = NSLayoutAttribute.CenterX
        let layout21 = NSLayoutRelation.Equal
        let layout31 = NSLayoutAttribute.CenterY
        let layout41 = NSLayoutAttribute.Width
        let layout51 = NSLayoutAttribute.Height
        let layout61 = NSLayoutAttribute.NotAnAttribute

        // defining all the constraint
        let horizontalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: layout11, relatedBy: layout21, toItem: view, attribute: layout11, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
        let verticalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: layout31, relatedBy: layout21, toItem: view, attribute: layout31, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
        let widthConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: layout41, relatedBy: layout21, toItem: nil, attribute: layout61, multiplier: 1, constant: 100)
        let heightConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, attribute: layout51, relatedBy: layout21, toItem: nil, attribute: layout61, multiplier: 1, constant: 100)

        // adding all the constraint
        NSLayoutConstraint.activateConstraints([horizontalConstraint,verticalConstraint,widthConstraint,heightConstraint])

Answer 12

This is one way to adding constraints programmatically

override func viewDidLoad() {
            super.viewDidLoad()


let myLabel = UILabel()
        myLabel.labelFrameUpdate(label: myLabel, text: "Welcome User", font: UIFont(name: "times new roman", size: 40)!, textColor: UIColor.red, textAlignment: .center, numberOfLines: 0, borderWidth: 2.0, BorderColor: UIColor.red.cgColor)
        self.view.addSubview(myLabel)


         let myLabelhorizontalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: myLabel, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.centerX, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: self.view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.centerX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
        let myLabelverticalConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: myLabel, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.centerY, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: self.view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.centerY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
        let mylabelLeading = NSLayoutConstraint(item: myLabel, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.leading, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: self.view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.leading, multiplier: 1, constant: 10)
        let mylabelTrailing = NSLayoutConstraint(item: myLabel, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.trailing, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: self.view, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.trailing, multiplier: 1, constant: -10)
        let myLabelheightConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: myLabel, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.height, relatedBy: NSLayoutRelation.equal, toItem: nil, attribute: NSLayoutAttribute.notAnAttribute, multiplier: 1, constant: 50)
        NSLayoutConstraint.activate(\[myLabelhorizontalConstraint, myLabelverticalConstraint, myLabelheightConstraint,mylabelLeading,mylabelTrailing\])
}

extension UILabel
{
    func labelFrameUpdate(label:UILabel,text:String = "This is sample Label",font:UIFont = UIFont(name: "times new roman", size: 20)!,textColor:UIColor = UIColor.red,textAlignment:NSTextAlignment = .center,numberOfLines:Int = 0,borderWidth:CGFloat = 2.0,BorderColor:CGColor = UIColor.red.cgColor){
        label.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        label.text = text
        label.font = font
        label.textColor = textColor
        label.textAlignment = textAlignment
        label.numberOfLines = numberOfLines
        label.layer.borderWidth = borderWidth
        label.layer.borderColor = UIColor.red.cgColor
    }
}

Answer 13

    var xCenterConstraint : NSLayoutConstraint!
    var yCenterConstraint: NSLayoutConstraint!

 xCenterConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: self.view, attribute: .CenterX, relatedBy: .Equal, toItem: (Your view NAme), attribute: .CenterX, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
            self.view.addConstraint(xCenterConstraint)

 yCenterConstraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: self.view, attribute: .CenterY, relatedBy: .Equal, toItem: (Your view Name), attribute: .CenterY, multiplier: 1, constant: 0)
            self.view.addConstraint(yCenterConstraint)

Answer 14

If you find the above to be ugly. You should consider using a DSL for constraints. Such as SnapKit Makes constraint API much more user-friendly

view.snp.makeConstraints { make in
    make.edges.equalToSuperview()
}

Answer 15

Try this elegant UIView extension for constraints. You can do constraints easy as:

 - firstView.coverWholeSuperview()
 - firstView.constraints(size: CGSize(width: 44, height: 44), centerX: view.centerXAnchor, centerY: view.centerXAnchor)
 - firstView.constraints(top: view.topAnchor, 
                         leading: secondView.leadingAnchor, 
                         bottom: view.bottomAnchor, 
                         trailing: secondView.trailingAnchor, 
                         padding: UIEdgeInsets(top: 12, left: 12, bottom: 12, right: 12))

Here is extension, just copy it to your project.

extension UIView {
    /// Attaches all sides of the receiver to its parent view
    func coverWholeSuperview(margin: CGFloat = 0.0) {
        let view = superview
        layoutAttachTop(to: view, margin: margin)
        layoutAttachBottom(to: view, margin: margin)
        layoutAttachLeading(to: view, margin: margin)
        layoutAttachTrailing(to: view, margin: margin)

    }

    /// Attaches the top of the current view to the given view's top if it's a superview of the current view
    /// or to it's bottom if it's not (assuming this is then a sibling view).
    @discardableResult
    func layoutAttachTop(to: UIView? = nil, margin: CGFloat = 0.0) -> NSLayoutConstraint {

        let view: UIView? = to ?? superview
        let isSuperview = view == superview
        let constraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: self, attribute: .top, relatedBy: .equal,
                                            toItem: view, attribute: isSuperview ? .top : .bottom, multiplier: 1.0,
                                            constant: margin)
        superview?.addConstraint(constraint)

        return constraint
    }

    /// Attaches the bottom of the current view to the given view
    @discardableResult
    func layoutAttachBottom(to: UIView? = nil, margin: CGFloat = 0.0, priority: UILayoutPriority? = nil) -> NSLayoutConstraint {

        let view: UIView? = to ?? superview
        let isSuperview = (view == superview) || false
        let constraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: self, attribute: .bottom, relatedBy: .equal,
                                            toItem: view, attribute: isSuperview ? .bottom : .top, multiplier: 1.0,
                                            constant: -margin)
        if let priority = priority {
            constraint.priority = priority
        }
        superview?.addConstraint(constraint)

        return constraint
    }

    /// Attaches the leading edge of the current view to the given view
    @discardableResult
    func layoutAttachLeading(to: UIView? = nil, margin: CGFloat = 0.0) -> NSLayoutConstraint {

        let view: UIView? = to ?? superview
        let isSuperview = (view == superview) || false
        let constraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: self, attribute: .leading, relatedBy: .equal,
                                            toItem: view, attribute: isSuperview ? .leading : .trailing, multiplier: 1.0,
                                            constant: margin)
        superview?.addConstraint(constraint)

        return constraint
    }

    /// Attaches the trailing edge of the current view to the given view
    @discardableResult
    func layoutAttachTrailing(to: UIView? = nil, margin: CGFloat = 0.0, priority: UILayoutPriority? = nil) -> NSLayoutConstraint {

        let view: UIView? = to ?? superview
        let isSuperview = (view == superview) || false
        let constraint = NSLayoutConstraint(item: self, attribute: .trailing, relatedBy: .equal,
                                            toItem: view, attribute: isSuperview ? .trailing : .leading, multiplier: 1.0,
                                            constant: -margin)
        if let priority = priority {
            constraint.priority = priority
        }
        superview?.addConstraint(constraint)

        return constraint
    }

    // For anchoring View
    struct AnchoredConstraints {
        var top, leading, bottom, trailing, width, height, centerX, centerY: NSLayoutConstraint?
    }

    @discardableResult
    func constraints(top: NSLayoutYAxisAnchor? = nil, leading: NSLayoutXAxisAnchor? = nil, bottom: NSLayoutYAxisAnchor? = nil,
                trailing: NSLayoutXAxisAnchor? = nil, padding: UIEdgeInsets = .zero, size: CGSize = .zero,
                centerX: NSLayoutXAxisAnchor? = nil, centerY: NSLayoutYAxisAnchor? = nil,
                centerXOffset: CGFloat = 0, centerYOffset: CGFloat = 0) -> AnchoredConstraints {

        translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        var anchoredConstraints = AnchoredConstraints()

        if let top = top {
            anchoredConstraints.top = topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: top, constant: padding.top)
        }

        if let leading = leading {
            anchoredConstraints.leading = leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: leading, constant: padding.left)
        }

        if let bottom = bottom {
            anchoredConstraints.bottom = bottomAnchor.constraint(equalTo: bottom, constant: -padding.bottom)
        }

        if let trailing = trailing {
            anchoredConstraints.trailing = trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: trailing, constant: -padding.right)
        }

        if size.width != 0 {
            anchoredConstraints.width = widthAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: size.width)
        }

        if size.height != 0 {
            anchoredConstraints.height = heightAnchor.constraint(equalToConstant: size.height)
        }

        if let centerX = centerX {
            anchoredConstraints.centerX = centerXAnchor.constraint(equalTo: centerX, constant: centerXOffset)
        }

        if let centerY = centerY {
            anchoredConstraints.centerY = centerYAnchor.constraint(equalTo: centerY, constant: centerYOffset)
        }

        [anchoredConstraints.top, anchoredConstraints.leading, anchoredConstraints.bottom,
         anchoredConstraints.trailing, anchoredConstraints.width,
         anchoredConstraints.height, anchoredConstraints.centerX,
         anchoredConstraints.centerY].forEach { $0?.isActive = true }

        return anchoredConstraints
    }
}

Answer 16

the following code works for me in this scenario: an UIImageView forced landscape.

    imagePreview!.isUserInteractionEnabled = true
    imagePreview!.isExclusiveTouch = true
    imagePreview!.contentMode = UIView.ContentMode.scaleAspectFit
    
    // Remove all constraints
    imagePreview!.removeAllConstraints()
    
    // Add the new constraints
    let guide = view.safeAreaLayoutGuide
    imagePreview!.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
    imagePreview!.leadingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: guide.leadingAnchor).isActive = true
    imagePreview!.trailingAnchor.constraint(equalTo: guide.trailingAnchor).isActive = true
    imagePreview!.heightAnchor.constraint(equalTo: guide.heightAnchor, multiplier: 1.0).isActive = true

where removeAllConstraints is an extension

extension UIView {
    
    func removeAllConstraints() {
        var _superview = self.superview
        
        func removeAllConstraintsFromView(view: UIView) { for c in view.constraints { view.removeConstraint(c) } }
        
        while let superview = _superview {
            for constraint in superview.constraints {
                
                if let first = constraint.firstItem as? UIView, first == self {
                    superview.removeConstraint(constraint)
                }
                
                if let second = constraint.secondItem as? UIView, second == self {
                    superview.removeConstraint(constraint)
                }
            }
            
            _superview = superview.superview
        }
        
        self.removeConstraints(self.constraints)
        self.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = true
    }
}

Answer 17

You can use Snapkit to set constraints programmatically.

class ViewController: UIViewController {
    
    let rectView: UIView = UIView(frame: CGRect(x: 0, y: 0, width: 100, height: 100))
    
    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        setupViews()
    }
    
    private func setupViews() {
        rectView.backgroundColor = .red
        view.addSubview(rectView)

        rectView.snp.makeConstraints {
          $0.center.equalToSuperview()
        }
    }
}

Answer 18

You are adding all defined constraints to self.view which is wrong, as width and height constraint should be added to your newView .

Also, as I understand you want to set constant width and height 100:100. In this case you should change your code to:

var constW = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, 
    attribute: .Width, 
    relatedBy: .Equal, 
    toItem: nil, 
    attribute: .NotAnAttribute, 
    multiplier: 1, 
    constant: 100)
newView.addConstraint(constW)

var constH = NSLayoutConstraint(item: newView, 
    attribute: .Height, 
    relatedBy: .Equal, 
    toItem: nil, 
    attribute: .NotAnAttribute, 
    multiplier: 1, 
    constant: 100)
newView.addConstraint(constH)

Answer 19

The error is caused by constrains automatically created from autoresizing mask, they are created because UIView property translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints is true by default.

Consider using BoxView to get rid of all manual constraint creation boilerplate, and make your code concize and readable. To make layout in question with BoxView is very easy:

boxView.items = [
   new_view.boxed.centerX().centerY().relativeWidth(1.0).relativeHeight(1.0)
]