Bundling C Library in Swift Framework
Article Summary
lem from Bumble Tech tackles a tricky iOS challenge: how do you bundle legacy C libraries into modern Swift frameworks without breaking portability?
When Swift arrived in 2014, it created new friction for developers wanting to use C libraries. This Bumble Tech article walks through bundling giflib (a C library) into a Swift framework using explicit module maps—a technique that keeps your framework portable across machines and distribution methods like Carthage and CocoaPods.
Key Takeaways
- Standard module maps break when shipping frameworks: they bind to local file paths
- Explicit modules act like private headers, imported only when needed
- The approach hides C implementation while maintaining pure Swift interface
- Works with Carthage, CocoaPods, and binary distribution without path issues
Critical Insight
Explicit module maps solve the portability problem when embedding C libraries in Swift frameworks, keeping implementation details hidden while enabling external distribution.
