Swift - class method which must be overridden by subclass

There isn't any support for abstract class/ virtual functions, but you could probably use a protocol for most cases:

protocol SomeProtocol {
    func someMethod()
}

class SomeClass: SomeProtocol {
    func someMethod() {}
}

If SomeClass doesn't implement someMethod, you'll get this compile time error:

error: type 'SomeClass' does not conform to protocol 'SomeProtocol'

The following allows to inherit from a class and also to have the protocol's compile time check :)

protocol ViewControllerProtocol {
    func setupViews()
    func setupConstraints()
}

typealias ViewController = ViewControllerClass & ViewControllerProtocol

class ViewControllerClass : UIViewController {

    override func viewDidLoad() {
        self.setup()
    }

    func setup() {
        guard let controller = self as? ViewController else {
            return
        }

        controller.setupViews()
        controller.setupConstraints()
    }

    //.... and implement methods related to UIViewController at will

}

class SubClass : ViewController {

    //-- in case these aren't here... an error will be presented
    func setupViews() { ... }
    func setupConstraints() { ... }

}

You have two options:

1. Use a Protocol

Define the superclass as a Protocol instead of a Class

Pro: Compile time check for if each "subclass" (not an actual subclass) implements the required method(s)

Con: The "superclass" (protocol) cannot implement methods or properties

2. Assert in the super version of the method

Example:

class SuperClass {
    func someFunc() {
        fatalError("Must Override")
    }
}

class Subclass : SuperClass {
    override func someFunc() {
    }
}

Pro: Can implement methods and properties in superclass

Con: No compile time check