iTunes Integration

[Piotr]

iMtG utilises iTunes File Sharing in many ways:

TL;DR: You can use iTunes to backup your deck list and data (trade folders), you can then manipulate or modify these list using any application that recognizes sql format files. Users using iOS apps can simply swap .dec & xml  files (deck and trade data) by dragging and dropping in tunes.


1. In Main Menu -> Deck Builder -> primary top-right button Tools -> Import from device. User can import .dec compatible files through iTunes standard file interface. As of today there is no RFD or any similar proper standard for .dec files. These .dec files are MTG's indie industry unwritten standard of sharing user-readable text data for Trading Card Game decks, introduced in late last century by Apprentice app on non-iOS platform.

2. In Main Menu -> Settings & Tools -> Tools -> [Device] Backup All, Restore Collection and Restore Decks. User can manipulate individual backup files through standard iTunes apps file sharing interface.

3. User can copy to a different platform and subsequently open iMtG.sqlite file in any tool which can recognise and manipulate data in sqlite SQL database, such as Linux bash script extracting filtered data from the tables, or user centric tool such as any of the utility apps able to open and read sqlite or Core Data files. iMtG internal architecture is modelled upon SAP Business One ERP platform, where central SQL database provides Model element of the MVC design. This enables use of iMtG as a tool with your custom database containing bespoke Expansions.

4. Inter apps data transfer between iMtG, iMtG Plus and 3rd party iOS apps. While iMtG and iMtG Plus apps are legally substantially different, both share the same core code and therefore user can easily transfer data between the apps by using standard iTunes files sharing drag and drop interface.