Can Swift 4's JSONDecoder be used with Firebase Realtime Database? - json

I am trying to decode data from a Firebase DataSnapshot so that it can be decoded using JSONDecoder.
I can decode this data fine when I use a URL to access it with a network request (obtaining a Data object).
However, I want to use the Firebase API to directly obtain the data, using observeSingleEvent as described on this page.
But, when I do this, I cannot seem to convert the result into a Data object, which I need to use JSONDecoder.
Is it possible to do the new style of JSON decoding with a DataSnapshot? How is it possible? I can't seem to figure it out.

I have created a library called CodableFirebase that provides Encoders and Decoders that are designed specifically for Firebase.
So for the example above:
import Firebase
import CodableFirebase
let item: GroceryItem = // here you will create an instance of GroceryItem
let data = try! FirebaseEncoder().encode(item)
Database.database().reference().child("pathToGraceryItem").setValue(data)
And here's how you will read the same data:
Database.database().reference().child("pathToGraceryItem").observeSingleEvent(of: .value, with: { (snapshot) in
guard let value = snapshot.value else { return }
do {
let item = try FirebaseDecoder().decode(GroceryItem.self, from: value)
print(item)
} catch let error {
print(error)
}
})

I've converted Firebase Snapshots using JSONDecoder by converting snapshots back to JSON in Data format. Your struct needs to conform to Decodable or Codable. I've done this with SwiftyJSON but this example is using JSONSerialization and it still works.
JSONSnapshotPotatoes {
"name": "Potatoes",
"price": 5,
}
JSONSnapshotChicken {
"name": "Chicken",
"price": 10,
"onSale": true
}
struct GroceryItem: Decodable {
var name: String
var price: Double
var onSale: Bool? //Use optionals for keys that may or may not exist
}
Database.database().reference().child("grocery_item").observeSingleEvent(of: .value, with: { (snapshot) in
guard let value = snapshot.value as? [String: Any] else { return }
do {
let jsonData = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: value, options: [])
let groceryItem = try JSONDecoder().decode(GroceryItem.self, from: jsonData)
print(groceryItem)
} catch let error {
print(error)
}
})
Please note that if your JSON keys are not the same as your Decodable struct. You'll need to use CodingKeys. Example:
JSONSnapshotSpinach {
"title": "Spinach",
"price": 10,
"onSale": true
}
struct GroceryItem: Decodable {
var name: String
var price: Double
var onSale: Bool?
enum CodingKeys: String, CodingKey {
case name = "title"
case price
case onSale
}
}
You can find more information on this using Apple Docs here.

No. Firebase returns a FIRDataSnapshot that can't be decodable. You can use this structure however, which is pretty simple and easy to understand:
struct GroceryItem {
let key: String
let name: String
let addedByUser: String
let ref: FIRDatabaseReference?
var completed: Bool
init(name: String, addedByUser: String, completed: Bool, key: String = "") {
self.key = key
self.name = name
self.addedByUser = addedByUser
self.completed = completed
self.ref = nil
}
init(snapshot: FIRDataSnapshot) {
key = snapshot.key
let snapshotValue = snapshot.value as! [String: AnyObject]
name = snapshotValue["name"] as! String
addedByUser = snapshotValue["addedByUser"] as! String
completed = snapshotValue["completed"] as! Bool
ref = snapshot.ref
}
func toAnyObject() -> Any {
return [
"name": name,
"addedByUser": addedByUser,
"completed": completed
]
}
}
And use toAnyObject() to save your item:
let groceryItemRef = ref.child("items")
groceryItemRef.setValue(groceryItem.toAnyObject())
Source: https://www.raywenderlich.com/139322/firebase-tutorial-getting-started-2

Or you can use this solution for children
extension DatabaseReference {
func makeSimpleRequest<U: Decodable>(completion: #escaping (U) -> Void) {
self.observeSingleEvent(of: .value, with: { snapshot in
guard let object = snapshot.children.allObjects as? [DataSnapshot] else { return }
let dict = object.compactMap { $0.value as? [String: Any] }
do {
let jsonData = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: dict, options: [])
let parsedObjects = try JSONDecoder().decode(U.self, from: jsonData)
completion(parsedObjects)
} catch let error {
print(error)
}
})
}
}
and use
self.refPriceStatistics.child(productId).makeSimpleRequest { (parsedArray: [YourArray]) in
callback(parsedArray)
}

If your data type is Codable you can use the following solution to decode directly. You do not need any plugin. I used the solution for Cloud Firestore.
import Firebase
import FirebaseFirestoreSwift
let db = Firestore.firestore()
let query = db.collection("CollectionName")
.whereField("id", isEqualTo: "123")
guard let documents = snapshot?.documents, error == nil else {
return
}
if let document = documents.first {
do {
let decodedData = try document.data(as: ModelClass.self)
// ModelClass a Codable Class
}
catch let error {
//
}
}

You can convert the value returned by Firebase to Data, and then decode that.
Add this extension to your project:
extension Collection {
//Designed for use with Dictionary and Array types
var jsonData: Data? {
return try? JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: self, options: .prettyPrinted)
}
}
Then use it to convert the value of the observed snapshot into data, which can then be decoded:
yourRef.observe(.value) { (snapshot) in
guard snapshot.exists(),
let value = snapshot.value as? [String],
let data = value.jsonData else {
return
}
//cast to expected type
do {
let yourNewObject = try JSONDecoder().decode([YourClass].self, from: data)
} catch let decodeError {
print("decodable error")
}
}

You can use this library CodableFirebase or the following extension can be helpful.
extension JSONDecoder {
func decode<T>(_ type: T.Type, from value: Any) throws -> T where T : Decodable {
do {
let data = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: value, options: .prettyPrinted)
let decoded = try decode(type, from: data)
return decoded
} catch {
throw error
}
}

Related

Cannot convert value of type 'User' to expected argument type '[String : Any]' [duplicate]

I am trying to decode data from a Firebase DataSnapshot so that it can be decoded using JSONDecoder.
I can decode this data fine when I use a URL to access it with a network request (obtaining a Data object).
However, I want to use the Firebase API to directly obtain the data, using observeSingleEvent as described on this page.
But, when I do this, I cannot seem to convert the result into a Data object, which I need to use JSONDecoder.
Is it possible to do the new style of JSON decoding with a DataSnapshot? How is it possible? I can't seem to figure it out.
I have created a library called CodableFirebase that provides Encoders and Decoders that are designed specifically for Firebase.
So for the example above:
import Firebase
import CodableFirebase
let item: GroceryItem = // here you will create an instance of GroceryItem
let data = try! FirebaseEncoder().encode(item)
Database.database().reference().child("pathToGraceryItem").setValue(data)
And here's how you will read the same data:
Database.database().reference().child("pathToGraceryItem").observeSingleEvent(of: .value, with: { (snapshot) in
guard let value = snapshot.value else { return }
do {
let item = try FirebaseDecoder().decode(GroceryItem.self, from: value)
print(item)
} catch let error {
print(error)
}
})
I've converted Firebase Snapshots using JSONDecoder by converting snapshots back to JSON in Data format. Your struct needs to conform to Decodable or Codable. I've done this with SwiftyJSON but this example is using JSONSerialization and it still works.
JSONSnapshotPotatoes {
"name": "Potatoes",
"price": 5,
}
JSONSnapshotChicken {
"name": "Chicken",
"price": 10,
"onSale": true
}
struct GroceryItem: Decodable {
var name: String
var price: Double
var onSale: Bool? //Use optionals for keys that may or may not exist
}
Database.database().reference().child("grocery_item").observeSingleEvent(of: .value, with: { (snapshot) in
guard let value = snapshot.value as? [String: Any] else { return }
do {
let jsonData = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: value, options: [])
let groceryItem = try JSONDecoder().decode(GroceryItem.self, from: jsonData)
print(groceryItem)
} catch let error {
print(error)
}
})
Please note that if your JSON keys are not the same as your Decodable struct. You'll need to use CodingKeys. Example:
JSONSnapshotSpinach {
"title": "Spinach",
"price": 10,
"onSale": true
}
struct GroceryItem: Decodable {
var name: String
var price: Double
var onSale: Bool?
enum CodingKeys: String, CodingKey {
case name = "title"
case price
case onSale
}
}
You can find more information on this using Apple Docs here.
No. Firebase returns a FIRDataSnapshot that can't be decodable. You can use this structure however, which is pretty simple and easy to understand:
struct GroceryItem {
let key: String
let name: String
let addedByUser: String
let ref: FIRDatabaseReference?
var completed: Bool
init(name: String, addedByUser: String, completed: Bool, key: String = "") {
self.key = key
self.name = name
self.addedByUser = addedByUser
self.completed = completed
self.ref = nil
}
init(snapshot: FIRDataSnapshot) {
key = snapshot.key
let snapshotValue = snapshot.value as! [String: AnyObject]
name = snapshotValue["name"] as! String
addedByUser = snapshotValue["addedByUser"] as! String
completed = snapshotValue["completed"] as! Bool
ref = snapshot.ref
}
func toAnyObject() -> Any {
return [
"name": name,
"addedByUser": addedByUser,
"completed": completed
]
}
}
And use toAnyObject() to save your item:
let groceryItemRef = ref.child("items")
groceryItemRef.setValue(groceryItem.toAnyObject())
Source: https://www.raywenderlich.com/139322/firebase-tutorial-getting-started-2
Or you can use this solution for children
extension DatabaseReference {
func makeSimpleRequest<U: Decodable>(completion: #escaping (U) -> Void) {
self.observeSingleEvent(of: .value, with: { snapshot in
guard let object = snapshot.children.allObjects as? [DataSnapshot] else { return }
let dict = object.compactMap { $0.value as? [String: Any] }
do {
let jsonData = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: dict, options: [])
let parsedObjects = try JSONDecoder().decode(U.self, from: jsonData)
completion(parsedObjects)
} catch let error {
print(error)
}
})
}
}
and use
self.refPriceStatistics.child(productId).makeSimpleRequest { (parsedArray: [YourArray]) in
callback(parsedArray)
}
If your data type is Codable you can use the following solution to decode directly. You do not need any plugin. I used the solution for Cloud Firestore.
import Firebase
import FirebaseFirestoreSwift
let db = Firestore.firestore()
let query = db.collection("CollectionName")
.whereField("id", isEqualTo: "123")
guard let documents = snapshot?.documents, error == nil else {
return
}
if let document = documents.first {
do {
let decodedData = try document.data(as: ModelClass.self)
// ModelClass a Codable Class
}
catch let error {
//
}
}
You can convert the value returned by Firebase to Data, and then decode that.
Add this extension to your project:
extension Collection {
//Designed for use with Dictionary and Array types
var jsonData: Data? {
return try? JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: self, options: .prettyPrinted)
}
}
Then use it to convert the value of the observed snapshot into data, which can then be decoded:
yourRef.observe(.value) { (snapshot) in
guard snapshot.exists(),
let value = snapshot.value as? [String],
let data = value.jsonData else {
return
}
//cast to expected type
do {
let yourNewObject = try JSONDecoder().decode([YourClass].self, from: data)
} catch let decodeError {
print("decodable error")
}
}
You can use this library CodableFirebase or the following extension can be helpful.
extension JSONDecoder {
func decode<T>(_ type: T.Type, from value: Any) throws -> T where T : Decodable {
do {
let data = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: value, options: .prettyPrinted)
let decoded = try decode(type, from: data)
return decoded
} catch {
throw error
}
}

How to save multiple data into local json file with Codable in Swift

I am doing iWatch app and I am tracking 4 minutes walk for Heart rate multiple data for each second.
I am getting data and I have to save it to local json file.
I am trying to add data to Codable, but, I am getting only single data.
I am new to Swift.
Following is required format.
{ "items" : [
{
"endDate" : "2019-12-11",
"HeartRate" : "82 BPM",
"startDate" : "2019-12-11"
},
{
"endDate" : "2019-12-11",
"HeartRate" : "79 BPM",
"startDate" : "2019-12-11"
} ] }
Below is my data in main class.
func workoutBuilder(_ workoutBuilder: HKLiveWorkoutBuilder, didCollectDataOf collectedTypes: Set<HKSampleType>) {
guard let hrType = HKQuantityType.quantityType(forIdentifier: .heartRate),
let distanceType = HKQuantityType.quantityType(forIdentifier: .distanceWalkingRunning) else {
return
}
if collectedTypes.contains(hrType) {
if let hrQuantity = workoutBuilder.statistics(for: hrType)?.mostRecentQuantity() {
// We want to have BPM
let hrUnit = HKUnit(from: "count/min")
let hr = Int(hrQuantity.doubleValue(for: hrUnit))
// print("HR: \(hr)")
self.bpmLabel.setText(String(hr))
let jsonData = HealthItem.init(endDate: formattedDateFromString()!, HeartRate: String(hr), startDate: formattedDateFromString())
print("jsonData \(jsonData)")
}
}
struct codable class
struct HealThInfo: Codable {
let items: [HealthItem]?
}
struct HealthItem: Codable {
let endDate: String?
let HeartRate: String?
let startDate: String?
}
But, It is saving only single data, Not multiple data.
jsonData HealthItem(endDate: Optional("2020-02-04"), HeartRate:
Optional("87"), startDate: Optional("2020-02-04"))
You can use bellow function
func getArrayViaCodable<T : Codable>(arrDict : [[String : Any]]) -> [T]? {
if let jsonData = try? JSONSerialization.data(
withJSONObject: arrDict,
options: .prettyPrinted
){
do {
let posts = try JSONDecoder().decode([T].self, from: jsonData)
return posts
} catch {
print(error)
return nil
}
} else {
return nil
}
}
Now use like
if let dictresponse = responsedata as? [String: Any] {
if let itemArray = data["items"] as? [[String: Any]] {
let arrHealthInfo : [HealThInfo] = getArrayViaCodable(arrDict: itemArray)
}
}
collectedTypes is an array of type HKSampleType. You should iterate over collectedTypes in order to get all data. Hope it helps you.
You never are using the HealThInfo object.
let jsonData = HealthItem.init(endDate: formattedDateFromString()!, HeartRate: String(hr), startDate: formattedDateFromString())
let healtInfo = HealThInfo() // maybe load from disk with previous data?
healtInfo.items.append(jsonData)
print("jsonData \(healtInfo)")

Converting Firebase Datasnapshot to codable JSON data

I'm using Firebase Database and I'm attempting to retrieve and use data with NSObject. I'm receiving an NSUnknownKeyException error when running the app, causing it to crash.
NSObject:
class WatchList: NSObject {
var filmid: Int?
}
Firebase Code:
ref.child("users").child(uid!).child("watchlist").observe(DataEventType.childAdded, with: { (info) in
print(info)
if let dict = info.value as? [String: AnyObject] {
let list = WatchList()
list.setValuesForKeys(dict)
print(list)
}
}, withCancel: nil)
I'm not sure of what could cause this.
Also, to enhance this solution is their a way to take this data and, instead of using NSObject, use Codable and JSONDecoder with the Firebase data?
You can simply use JSONSerialization to convert the snapshot value property from Any to Data:
let data = try? JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: snapshot.value)
You can also extend Firebase DataSnapshot type and add a data and json string properties to it:
import Firebase
extension DataSnapshot {
var data: Data? {
guard let value = value, !(value is NSNull) else { return nil }
return try? JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: value)
}
var json: String? { data?.string }
}
extension Data {
var string: String? { String(data: self, encoding: .utf8) }
}
usage:
guard let data = snapshot.data else { return }
It's 2021 now.
Firebase finally added support for decoding Firestore documents. Just let your objects conform to Codable and decode like this:
let result = Result {
try document?.data(as: City.self)
}
switch result {
case .success(let city):
if let city = city {
print("City: \(city)")
} else {
print("Document does not exist")
}
case .failure(let error):
// A `City` value could not be initialized from the DocumentSnapshot.
print("Error decoding city: \(error)")
}
Just don't forget to add the 'FirebaseFirestoreSwift' pod and then import it into your file.
Read more:
https://firebase.google.com/docs/firestore/query-data/get-data#custom_objects
Original answer
A really nice library to use here is Codable Firebase which I am also using in my project. Just make your class / struct conform to Codable protocol and use FirebaseDecoder to decode your Firebase data into a Swift object.
Example:
Database.database().reference().child("model").observeSingleEvent(of: .value, with: { snapshot in
guard let value = snapshot.value else { return }
do {
let model = try FirebaseDecoder().decode(Model.self, from: value)
print(model)
} catch let error {
print(error)
}
})

How to add a (Swift4) init to the Decodable protocol

I am trying to create a Codable extension that is capable of initialising a Decodable (Swift 4) object with only a json string. So what Should work is:
struct MyObject: Decodable {
var title: String?
}
let myObject = MyObject(json: "{\"title\":\"The title\"}")
I think this means that I should create an init that calls the self.init with a Decoder. Here is the code that I came up with:
public init?(json: String) throws {
guard let decoder: Decoder = GetDecoder.decode(json: json)?.decoder else { return }
try self.init(from: decoder) // Who what should we do to get it so that we can call this?
}
That code is capable of getting the decoder, but I get a compiler error on calling the init. The error that I get is:
'self' used before self.init call
Does this mean that there is no way to add an init to the Decodable protocol?
For the complete source code see the codable extension on github
update:
After debugging the solution below from #appzYourLive I found out that I had a conflict with the init(json: initialisers on Decodable and Array. I just published a new version of the extension to GitHub. I also added the solution as a new answer to this question.
A possible workaround
DecodableFromString
A possible solution is defining another protocol
protocol DecodableFromString: Decodable { }
with its own initializer
extension DecodableFromString {
init?(from json: String) throws {
guard let data = try json.data(using: .utf8) else { return nil }
guard let value = try? JSONDecoder().decode(Self.self, from: data) else { return nil }
self = value
}
}
Conforming to DecodableFromString
Now you need to conform your type to DecodableFromString
struct Person:Codable, DecodableFromString {
let firstName: String
let lastName: String
}
Result
And finally given a JSON
let json = """
{
"firstName": "Luke",
"lastName": "Skywalker"
}
"""
you can build your value
if let luke = try? Person(from: json) {
print(luke)
}
Person(firstName: "Luke", lastName: "Skywalker")
This is what can be done:
extension Decodable {
init?(jsonString: String) throws {
guard let jsonData = jsonString.data(using: .utf8) else { return nil }
self = try JSONDecoder().decode(Self.self, from: jsonData)
}
}
See: https://bugs.swift.org/browse/SR-5356
[UPD] Problem fixed in XCode 9 beta 3 (see the above link for details).
My original problem was caused by these 2 reasons:
A conflict between an init with an identical signature that I added as an
extension to Array which is also Codable when its inner objects are
Codable.
A swift compiler bug that causes a problem when you use a failable
initialiser. See https://bugs.swift.org/browse/SR-5356
So since there is an issue with using a failable initialiser I ended up with:
public extension Decodable {
init(json: String) throws {
guard let data = json.data(using: .utf8) else { throw CodingError.RuntimeError("cannot create data from string") }
try self.init(data: data, keyPath: keyPath)
}
init(data: Data) throws {
self = try JSONDecoder().decode(Self.self, from: data)
}
}
enum CodingError : Error {
case RuntimeError(String)
}
I also made a variation where you kan use a keyPath to jump to a certain section:
public extension Decodable {
init(json: String, keyPath: String? = nil) throws {
guard let data = json.data(using: .utf8) else { throw CodingError.RuntimeError("cannot create data from string") }
try self.init(data: data, keyPath: keyPath)
}
init(data: Data, keyPath: String? = nil) throws {
if let keyPath = keyPath {
let topLevel = try JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: data, options: JSONSerialization.ReadingOptions.mutableContainers)
guard let nestedJson = (topLevel as AnyObject).value(forKeyPath: keyPath) else { throw CodingError.RuntimeError("Cannot decode data to object") }
let nestedData = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: nestedJson)
self = try JSONDecoder().decode(Self.self, from: nestedData)
return
}
self = try JSONDecoder().decode(Self.self, from: data)
}
}
You can find the complete code of my Decodable and Encodable extensions below. It's also in my GitHub subspec. With this extension you can use code like:
struct YourCodableObject : Codable {
var naam: String?
var id: Int?
}
let json = yourEncodableObjectInstance.toJsonString()
let data = yourEncodableObjectInstance.toJsonData()
let newObject = try? YourCodableObject(json: json)
let newObject2 = try? YourCodableObject(data: data)
let objectArray = try? [YourCodableObject](json: json)
let objectArray2 = try? [YourCodableObject](data: data)
let newJson = objectArray.toJsonString()
let innerObject = try? TestCodable(json: "{\"user\":{\"id\":1,\"naam\":\"Edwin\"}}", keyPath: "user")
try initialObject.saveToDocuments("myFile.dat")
let readObject = try? TestCodable(fileNameInDocuments: "myFile.dat")
try objectArray.saveToDocuments("myFile2.dat")
let objectArray3 = try? [TestCodable](fileNameInDocuments: "myFile2.dat")
And here are the 2 extensions:
//
// Codable.swift
// Stuff
//
// Created by Edwin Vermeer on 28/06/2017.
// Copyright © 2017 EVICT BV. All rights reserved.
//
enum CodingError : Error {
case RuntimeError(String)
}
public extension Encodable {
/**
Convert this object to json data
- parameter outputFormatting: The formatting of the output JSON data (compact or pritty printed)
- parameter dateEncodinStrategy: how do you want to format the date
- parameter dataEncodingStrategy: what kind of encoding. base64 is the default
- returns: The json data
*/
public func toJsonData(outputFormatting: JSONEncoder.OutputFormatting = .compact, dateEncodingStrategy: JSONEncoder.DateEncodingStrategy = .deferredToDate, dataEncodingStrategy: JSONEncoder.DataEncodingStrategy = .base64Encode) -> Data? {
let encoder = JSONEncoder()
encoder.outputFormatting = outputFormatting
encoder.dateEncodingStrategy = dateEncodingStrategy
encoder.dataEncodingStrategy = dataEncodingStrategy
return try? encoder.encode(self)
}
/**
Convert this object to a json string
- parameter outputFormatting: The formatting of the output JSON data (compact or pritty printed)
- parameter dateEncodinStrategy: how do you want to format the date
- parameter dataEncodingStrategy: what kind of encoding. base64 is the default
- returns: The json string
*/
public func toJsonString(outputFormatting: JSONEncoder.OutputFormatting = .compact, dateEncodingStrategy: JSONEncoder.DateEncodingStrategy = .deferredToDate, dataEncodingStrategy: JSONEncoder.DataEncodingStrategy = .base64Encode) -> String? {
let data = self.toJsonData(outputFormatting: outputFormatting, dateEncodingStrategy: dateEncodingStrategy, dataEncodingStrategy: dataEncodingStrategy)
return data == nil ? nil : String(data: data!, encoding: .utf8)
}
/**
Save this object to a file in the temp directory
- parameter fileName: The filename
- returns: Nothing
*/
public func saveTo(_ fileURL: URL) throws {
guard let data = self.toJsonData() else { throw CodingError.RuntimeError("cannot create data from object")}
try data.write(to: fileURL, options: .atomic)
}
/**
Save this object to a file in the temp directory
- parameter fileName: The filename
- returns: Nothing
*/
public func saveToTemp(_ fileName: String) throws {
let fileURL = try FileManager.default.url(for: .cachesDirectory, in: .userDomainMask, appropriateFor: nil, create: false).appendingPathComponent(fileName)
try self.saveTo(fileURL)
}
#if os(tvOS)
// Save to documents folder is not supported on tvOS
#else
/**
Save this object to a file in the documents directory
- parameter fileName: The filename
- returns: true if successfull
*/
public func saveToDocuments(_ fileName: String) throws {
let fileURL = try FileManager.default.url(for: .documentDirectory, in: .userDomainMask, appropriateFor: nil, create: false).appendingPathComponent(fileName)
try self.saveTo(fileURL)
}
#endif
}
public extension Decodable {
/**
Create an instance of this type from a json string
- parameter json: The json string
- parameter keyPath: for if you want something else than the root object
*/
init(json: String, keyPath: String? = nil) throws {
guard let data = json.data(using: .utf8) else { throw CodingError.RuntimeError("cannot create data from string") }
try self.init(data: data, keyPath: keyPath)
}
/**
Create an instance of this type from a json string
- parameter data: The json data
- parameter keyPath: for if you want something else than the root object
*/
init(data: Data, keyPath: String? = nil) throws {
if let keyPath = keyPath {
let topLevel = try JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: data, options: JSONSerialization.ReadingOptions.mutableContainers)
guard let nestedJson = (topLevel as AnyObject).value(forKeyPath: keyPath) else { throw CodingError.RuntimeError("Cannot decode data to object") }
let nestedData = try JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: nestedJson)
let value = try JSONDecoder().decode(Self.self, from: nestedData)
self = value
return
}
self = try JSONDecoder().decode(Self.self, from: data)
}
/**
Initialize this object from an archived file from an URL
- parameter fileNameInTemp: The filename
*/
public init(fileURL: URL) throws {
let data = try Data(contentsOf: fileURL)
try self.init(data: data)
}
/**
Initialize this object from an archived file from the temp directory
- parameter fileNameInTemp: The filename
*/
public init(fileNameInTemp: String) throws {
let fileURL = try FileManager.default.url(for: .cachesDirectory, in: .userDomainMask, appropriateFor: nil, create: false).appendingPathComponent(fileNameInTemp)
try self.init(fileURL: fileURL)
}
/**
Initialize this object from an archived file from the documents directory
- parameter fileNameInDocuments: The filename
*/
public init(fileNameInDocuments: String) throws {
let fileURL = try FileManager.default.url(for: .documentDirectory, in: .userDomainMask, appropriateFor: nil, create: false).appendingPathComponent(fileNameInDocuments)
try self.init(fileURL: fileURL)
}
}

Deserialize JSON / NSDictionary to Swift objects

Is there a way to properly deserialize a JSON response to Swift objects resp. using DTOs as containers for fixed JSON APIs?
Something similar to http://james.newtonking.com/json or something like this example from Java
User user = jsonResponse.readEntity(User.class);
whereby jsonResponse.toString() is something like
{
"name": "myUser",
"email": "user#example.com",
"password": "passwordHash"
}
SWIFT 4 Update
Since you give a very simple JSON object the code prepared for to handle that model. If you need more complicated JSON models you need to improve this sample.
Your Custom Object
class Person : NSObject {
var name : String = ""
var email : String = ""
var password : String = ""
init(JSONString: String) {
super.init()
var error : NSError?
let JSONData = JSONString.dataUsingEncoding(NSUTF8StringEncoding, allowLossyConversion: false)
let JSONDictionary: Dictionary = NSJSONSerialization.JSONObjectWithData(JSONData, options: nil, error: &error) as NSDictionary
// Loop
for (key, value) in JSONDictionary {
let keyName = key as String
let keyValue: String = value as String
// If property exists
if (self.respondsToSelector(NSSelectorFromString(keyName))) {
self.setValue(keyValue, forKey: keyName)
}
}
// Or you can do it with using
// self.setValuesForKeysWithDictionary(JSONDictionary)
// instead of loop method above
}
}
And this is how you invoke your custom class with JSON string.
override func viewDidLoad() {
super.viewDidLoad()
let jsonString = "{ \"name\":\"myUser\", \"email\":\"user#example.com\", \"password\":\"passwordHash\" }"
var aPerson : Person = Person(JSONString: jsonString)
println(aPerson.name) // Output is "myUser"
}
I recommend that you use code generation (http://www.json4swift.com) to create native models out of the json response, this will save your time of parsing by hand and reduce the risk of errors due to mistaken keys, all elements will be accessible by model properties, this will be purely native and the models will make more sense rather checking the keys.
Your conversion will be as simple as:
let userObject = UserClass(userDictionary)
print(userObject!.name)
Swift 2: I really like the previous post of Mohacs! To make it more object oriented, i wrote a matching Extension:
extension NSObject{
convenience init(jsonStr:String) {
self.init()
if let jsonData = jsonStr.dataUsingEncoding(NSUTF8StringEncoding, allowLossyConversion: false)
{
do {
let json = try NSJSONSerialization.JSONObjectWithData(jsonData, options: []) as! [String: AnyObject]
// Loop
for (key, value) in json {
let keyName = key as String
let keyValue: String = value as! String
// If property exists
if (self.respondsToSelector(NSSelectorFromString(keyName))) {
self.setValue(keyValue, forKey: keyName)
}
}
} catch let error as NSError {
print("Failed to load: \(error.localizedDescription)")
}
}
else
{
print("json is of wrong format!")
}
}
}
custom classes:
class Person : NSObject {
var name : String?
var email : String?
var password : String?
}
class Address : NSObject {
var city : String?
var zip : String?
}
invoking custom classes with JSON string:
var jsonString = "{ \"name\":\"myUser\", \"email\":\"user#example.com\", \"password\":\"passwordHash\" }"
let aPerson = Person(jsonStr: jsonString)
print(aPerson.name!) // Output is "myUser"
jsonString = "{ \"city\":\"Berlin\", \"zip\":\"12345\" }"
let aAddress = Address(jsonStr: jsonString)
print(aAddress.city!) // Output is "Berlin"
Yet another JSON handler I wrote:
https://github.com/dankogai/swift-json
With it you can go like this:
let obj:[String:AnyObject] = [
"array": [JSON.null, false, 0, "", [], [:]],
"object":[
"null": JSON.null,
"bool": true,
"int": 42,
"double": 3.141592653589793,
"string": "a α\t弾\n𪚲",
"array": [],
"object": [:]
],
"url":"http://blog.livedoor.com/dankogai/"
]
let json = JSON(obj)
json.toString()
json["object"]["null"].asNull // NSNull()
json["object"]["bool"].asBool // true
json["object"]["int"].asInt // 42
json["object"]["double"].asDouble // 3.141592653589793
json["object"]["string"].asString // "a α\t弾\n𪚲"
json["array"][0].asNull // NSNull()
json["array"][1].asBool // false
json["array"][2].asInt // 0
json["array"][3].asString // ""
As you see no !? needed between subscripts.
In addition to that you can apply your own schema like this:
//// schema by subclassing
class MyJSON : JSON {
override init(_ obj:AnyObject){ super.init(obj) }
override init(_ json:JSON) { super.init(json) }
var null :NSNull? { return self["null"].asNull }
var bool :Bool? { return self["bool"].asBool }
var int :Int? { return self["int"].asInt }
var double:Double? { return self["double"].asDouble }
var string:String? { return self["string"].asString }
var url: String? { return self["url"].asString }
var array :MyJSON { return MyJSON(self["array"]) }
var object:MyJSON { return MyJSON(self["object"]) }
}
let myjson = MyJSON(obj)
myjson.object.null // NSNull?
myjson.object.bool // Bool?
myjson.object.int // Int?
myjson.object.double // Double?
myjson.object.string // String?
myjson.url // String?
There's a great example by Apple for deserializing JSON with Swift 2.0
The trick is to use the guard keyword and chain the assignments like so:
init?(attributes: [String : AnyObject]) {
guard let name = attributes["name"] as? String,
let coordinates = attributes["coordinates"] as? [String: Double],
let latitude = coordinates["lat"],
let longitude = coordinates["lng"],
else {
return nil
}
self.name = name
self.coordinates = CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: latitude, longitude: longitude)
}
I personally prefer native parsing vs any 3rd party, as it is transparent and magic-less. (and bug less?)
Using quicktype, I generated your model and serialization helpers from your sample:
import Foundation
struct User: Codable {
let name: String
let email: String
let password: String
}
extension User {
static func from(json: String, using encoding: String.Encoding = .utf8) -> OtherUser? {
guard let data = json.data(using: encoding) else { return nil }
return OtherUser.from(data: data)
}
static func from(data: Data) -> OtherUser? {
let decoder = JSONDecoder()
return try? decoder.decode(OtherUser.self, from: data)
}
var jsonData: Data? {
let encoder = JSONEncoder()
return try? encoder.encode(self)
}
var jsonString: String? {
guard let data = self.jsonData else { return nil }
return String(data: data, encoding: .utf8)
}
}
Then parse User values like this:
let user = User.from(json: """{
"name": "myUser",
"email": "user#example.com",
"password": "passwordHash"
}""")!
I wrote this small open-source library recently that lets you quickly and easily deserialize dictionaries into Swift objects: https://github.com/isair/JSONHelper
Using it, deserializing data becomes as easy as this:
var myInstance = MyClass(data: jsonDictionary)
or
myInstance <-- jsonDictionary
And models need to look only like this:
struct SomeObjectType: Deserializable {
var someProperty: Int?
var someOtherProperty: AnotherObjectType?
var yetAnotherProperty: [YetAnotherObjectType]?
init(data: [String: AnyObject]) {
someProperty <-- data["some_key"]
someOtherProperty <-- data["some_other_key"]
yetAnotherProperty <-- data["yet_another_key"]
}
}
Which, in your case, would be:
struct Person: Deserializable {
var name: String?
var email: String?
var password: String?
init(data: [String: AnyObject]) {
name <-- data["name"]
email <-- data["email"]
password <-- data["password"]
}
}
If you would like parse from and to json without the need to manually map keys and fields, then you could also use EVReflection. You can then use code like:
var user:User = User(json:jsonString)
or
var jsonString:String = user.toJsonString()
The only thing you need to do is to use EVObject as your data objects base class.
See the GitHub page for more detailed sample code
I am expanding upon Mohacs and Peter Kreinz's excellent answers just a bit to cover the array of like objects case where each object contains a mixture of valid JSON data types. If the JSON data one is parsing is an array of like objects containing a mixture of JSON data types, the do loop for parsing the JSON data becomes this.
// Array of parsed objects
var parsedObjects = [ParsedObject]()
do {
let json = try NSJSONSerialization.JSONObjectWithData(jsonData, options: []) as [Dictionary<String, AnyObject>]
// Loop through objects
for dict in json {
// ParsedObject is a single instance of an object inside the JSON data
// Its properties are a mixture of String, Int, Double and Bool
let parsedObject = ParsedObject()
// Loop through key/values in object parsed from JSON
for (key, value) in json {
// If property exists, set the value
if (parsedObject.respondsToSelector(NSSelectorFromString(keyName))) {
// setValue can handle AnyObject when assigning property value
parsedObject.setValue(keyValue, forKey: keyName)
}
}
parsedObjects.append(parsedObject)
}
} catch let error as NSError {
print("Failed to load: \(error.localizedDescription)")
}
This way lets you get the user from a URL. It's parse the NSData to a NSDictionary and then to your NSObject.
let urlS = "http://api.localhost:3000/"
func getUser(username: Strung) -> User {
var user = User()
let url = NSURL(string: "\(urlS)\(username)")
if let data = NSData(contentsOfURL: url!) {
setKeysAndValues(user, dictionary: parseData(data))
}
return user
}
func setKeysAndValues (object : AnyObject, dictionary : NSDictionary) -> AnyObject {
for (key, value) in dictionary {
if let key = key as? String, let value = value as? String {
if (object.respondsToSelector(NSSelectorFromString(key))) {
object.setValue(value, forKey: key)
}
}
}
return object
}
func parseData (data : NSData) -> NSDictionary {
var error: NSError?
return NSJSONSerialization.JSONObjectWithData(data, options: NSJSONReadingOptions.MutableContainers, error: &error) as! NSDictionary
}
In Swift 4, You can use the Decoding, CodingKey protocols to deserialize the JSON response:
Create the class which confirm the decodable protocol
class UserInfo: Decodable
Create members of the class
var name: String
var email: String
var password: String
Create JSON key enum which inherits from CodingKey
enum UserInfoCodingKey: String, CodingKey {
case name
case password
case emailId
}
Implement init
required init(from decoder: Decoder) throws
The whole class look like :
Call Decoder
// jsonData is JSON response and we get the userInfo object
let userInfo = try JsonDecoder().decode(UserInfo.self, from: jsonData)
You do this by using NSJSONSerialization. Where data is your JSON.
First wrap it in an if statement to provide some error handling capablity
if let data = data,
json = try NSJSONSerialization.JSONObjectWithData(data, options: []) as? [String: AnyObject] {
// Do stuff
} else {
// Do stuff
print("No Data :/")
}
then assign them:
let email = json["email"] as? String
let name = json["name"] as? String
let password = json["password"] as? String
Now, This will show you the result:
print("Found User iname: \(name) with email: \(email) and pass \(password)")
Taken from this Swift Parse JSON tutorial. You should check out the tutorial as it goes a lot more in depth and covers better error handling.