What is $(inherited) in Xcode's search path settings?

Question

What is the $(inherited) search path setting?

I\'ve modified the header and library search path settings regarding OpenSSL for iPad and this issue alon

Answer 1

Example of Overriding build setting variables set on the Project or Target level by reassigning the value of that variable in a xcconfig file.

// Variable set in the project file, previous level
OTHER_LDFLAGS = -ObjC

// lib.xcconfig
OTHER_LDFLAGS = -framework Security

^ When compiling with this, the previous value of OTHER_LDFLAGS -ObjC is going to be overridden by the new value -framework Security.

Example of Inheriting build setting variables set on the Project or Target level by appending to the previous value of that variable in a xcconfig file. Think of $(inherited) as a special variable that can be used to get the existing value of a variable so that assignment to same variable isn't destructive.

// Variable set in the project file, previous level
OTHER_LDFLAGS = -ObjC

// lib.xcconfig
OTHER_LDFLAGS = $(inherited) -framework Security

^ When compiling with this, the value of OTHER_LDFLAGS is going to be -ObjC -framework Security.

Example found at https://pewpewthespells.com/blog/xcconfig_guide.html

Answer 2

I'm looking for a documentation, too. But I made the experience, that $(inherited) can be used to inherit build settings from the project level to the target level. When you define library or header search paths at the project level you can use $(inherited) in the target build settings to use these search paths in the search paths of the project targets.

Answer 3

ADDENDUM: with $(inherited) Build Settings->Library Search Path is automatically populated when you add a library to a target by clicking in the Target Membership right-hand pane. This does not happen otherwise.

Answer 4

If you go to Target Build Settings, and switch to Level view

You can see the flow of inherited from right to left

Resolved <- Target <- xcconfig <- Project <- iOS Default

So in inherited in Target means that Target inherits settings from xcconfig and Project