how to change uiviewcontroller title independent of tabbar item title
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How to Change UIViewController Title Independent of Tab Bar Item Title
When developing iOS applications with a tabbed interface using `UITabBarController`, it is common to encounter a scenario where the titles of the `UIViewController` and the `UITabBarItem` are linked. This can lead to situations where changing the `UIViewController` title inadvertently also changes the tab bar item's title. This article will discuss detailed methods to change a `UIViewController`'s title independently from its `UITabBarItem` title.
Core Concepts
`UIViewController` and `UITabBarItem`
- `UIViewController`: It represents a single screen’s content. Its `title` property is used for navigation purposes and can be displayed in a `UINavigationController`.
- `UITabBarItem`: It represents a tab within a `UITabBar`. Its `title` property is used as the text label for the tab in the tab bar.
Default Behavior
By default, setting the `title` of a `UIViewController` updates both the navigation bar and the associated `UITabBarItem`. This default behavior can be undesirable when the context of the screen (represented by the view controller) logically requires a different title than that shown in the tab bar.
Detaching the Titles
Setting Titles Separately
To set the `UIViewController` title independently of the `UITabBarItem`, it's important to explicitly assign a different title to `UITabBarItem`:
- Improved UX in Navigation: The screen may have a logical title that describes the current context or details that the tab bar lacks room to convey.
- Localized Titles: You might want the screen title to be dynamically changed based on user interactions, while the tab item remains constant.
- Concise Tab Name: Tab names often need to be short, whereas the screen title is intended to be more descriptive.
- Lifecycle Events: It is crucial to correctly set these titles in specific lifecycle events such as `viewDidLoad()` or `init()`. Avoid setting them dynamically in methods triggered repeatedly like `viewWillAppear()`, unless necessary, to prevent potential side effects or performance issues.
- Navigational Heirarchy: When using a `UINavigationController` in combination with `UITabBarController`, ensure the titles are set in respect of the specific hierarchies involved. The navigation controller might also have its title management, which overrides the `UIViewController` title.

