I came from a electrical and computer engineering background and so I am more used to procedural programming. When I started with iOS development, I tried IB but then I cannot figure out the magic and decided to create my UI mostly from code. Then, I started doing more and more software and adding more code, and managing it becomes painful. Since this is a personal project, I do not want to spend too much time and want to follow Apple's way of doing things. Since then, I started using XIB file and adding them slowly. It is important to realize that it is NOT an all or nothing approach. You can mix and match XIB and code with what you are comfortable with.
Some comments say that using UI will eventually restrict you. That might be true and I can totally see that. However, at that time, it is a good idea to step back and look at the overall design and figure out if you over design something. I like functional apps that work with little effort. It does not mean that it have to look ugly but you can customize and beautify the UI within the constraints of Apple's framework. Yes, there will be limits but is it worth the extra complexity of rolling it out on your own?
I have not tried storyboard but I would like to try it out soon.
In general, my philosophy has changed to use good, solid, reliable frameworks and keep the design (UI) and features (code) simpler. You will be able to get 90% of what you really want with less work (coding and maintaining).
Some comments say that using UI will eventually restrict you. That might be true and I can totally see that. However, at that time, it is a good idea to step back and look at the overall design and figure out if you over design something. I like functional apps that work with little effort. It does not mean that it have to look ugly but you can customize and beautify the UI within the constraints of Apple's framework. Yes, there will be limits but is it worth the extra complexity of rolling it out on your own?
I have not tried storyboard but I would like to try it out soon.
In general, my philosophy has changed to use good, solid, reliable frameworks and keep the design (UI) and features (code) simpler. You will be able to get 90% of what you really want with less work (coding and maintaining).