How to iterate over array of Any

Question

I want to know how I would iterate over an array of objects of different types. The array looks like this:

var messages: [Any] = [SentMessage(sent_text: "Halla", date_sent: "24.des", isSent: true, sending: false), RecievedMessage(profile_image: UIImage(named: "baseline_account_box_black_18pt")!, recieved_text: "Hei hva skjer?", date_recieved: "25.des", isRecieved: true)]

I tried to convert iterator like this:

for i in messages{

    guard let received = ReceivedMessage(i) else{
        return
    }


}

ReceivedMessages and SentMessages are both structs, if it is necessary to see more code, just ask.

"I want to know how I would iterate over an array of objects of different types" Best way: don't. — matt, Dec 28 '18 at 21:58

ielyamani · Accepted Answer · 2018-12-29T23:29:36.727

4

Use optional binding :

guard let received = i as? ReceivedMessage

Instead of declaring messages as [Any], make ReceivedMessage and SentMessage adopt a common protocol and then messages would be an array of objects adopting that protocol:

protocol Message {

}

struct SentMessage: Message {

}

struct ReceivedMessage: Message {

}

var messages: [Message]

edited Dec 29 '18 at 23:29

answered Dec 28 '18 at 21:49

ielyamani

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I understand that, but if I am adopting everything from a protocol, I could just create one struct as well? – Elias Knudsen Dec 28 '18 at 22:02
@EliasKnudsen Of course, preferably, with a boolean to differentiate between received and sent messages – ielyamani Dec 28 '18 at 22:04
Thanks, it was dumb to create to different structs, a message share many similar properites, only difference is whether it was sent or received. – Elias Knudsen Dec 28 '18 at 22:06
Maybe introduce an enum for the status of the message? You'll probably discover over time that a message can probably be in more states than just sent and received – Ben Kane Dec 28 '18 at 22:09
Thanks for your advice @Be – Elias Knudsen Dec 28 '18 at 22:13

How to iterate over array of Any

1 Answers1