Orientation Seems to Conflict with Dimensions

Question

if(UIInterfaceOrientationIsPortrait(self.interfaceOrientation)) {
   NSLog(@"Device is in portrait");
} else if(UIInterfaceOrientationIsLandscape(self.interfaceOrientation)){
   NSLog(@"Device is in landscape");
}
NSLog(@"View bounds are %@",NSStringFromCGRect(self.view.bounds));

I call this code from viewDidLoad and then subsequently from a gesture recognizer. When in landscape mode, the output from viewDidLoad is:

2013-01-04 20:44:48.925 293 Calendar[2638:907] Device is in landscape
2013-01-04 20:44:48.926 293 Calendar[2638:907] View bounds are {{0, 0}, {748, 1024}}

When called from the swipe gesture recognizer the output is:

2013-01-04 20:44:58.002 293 Calendar[2638:907] Device is in landscape
2013-01-04 20:44:58.004 293 Calendar[2638:907] View bounds are {{0, 0}, {1024, 748}}

If the device is in landscape both times, why are the dimensions opposite? Should I be looking at view dimensions elsewhere than viewDidLoad? What event would that be?

I tried viewWillAppear, and it was the same as viewDidLoad. I tried viewDidAppear, and it was the same as from the gesture recognizer. So I assume that's what I should use instead of viewDidLoad for the proper view dimensions. Correct?

Answer 1

The viewDidLoad method is called before the view controller's view has been properly sized. It is normal for the view's size to appear incorrect at this time.

The proper place to deal with all of this is the viewWillLayoutSubviews. The view's size and orientation are up to date as a result of an initial display or due to an orientation change. This is where you should update any subviews that are not properly handled with some sort of auto-layout.