Using NSPredicate to search an array with an array

Question

I have an array of Card objects (NSObjects), each with a field called tags, which is an NSArray of NSStrings.

I would then like to split up the user's search term into an array called keywords of strings by componentsSeparatedByString, then use NSPredicate to filter my array of Cards based on which elements have tags containing at least 1 keyword in keywords.

I hope that's not too convoluted! I've tried using the NSPredicate IN clause to no avail. How should I do this?

brainray · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-29 16:31:19Z

62

Considering array contains card Object.

 NSArray *keyWordsList = [keywords componentSeparatedByString:@","];
 [array filteredArrayUsingPredicate:[NSPredicate predicateWithFormat:@"ANY %K IN %@",@"tags",keyWordsList]]

EDIT:

To search partially you can use LIKE operator.

[array filteredArrayUsingPredicate:[NSPredicate predicateWithFormat:@"ANY %K LIKE[cd] %@",@"tags",[partialkeyWord stringByAppendingString:@"*"]]]

edited Jun 29, 2016 at 16:31

brainray

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answered Jul 2, 2012 at 13:25

Vignesh

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3 Comments

quantum Over a year ago

Oh man this is even simpler.. I've tried both answers, and they both function equally well!

quantum Over a year ago

how can I implement partial search in this? So if the user types "Bask" the Card with the tag "Basketball" shows up?

quantum Over a year ago

Right, but does this remove the functionality to search within the keywords array?

Paul de Lange · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-02 11:51:48Z

9

Don't kill me if this isn't exactly right, but something like this will work.

NSArray* arrayOfCards = [NSArray array];
NSArray* keywords = [NSArray array];
NSPredicate* containsAKeyword = [NSPredicate predicateWithBlock: ^BOOL(id evaluatedObject, NSDictionary *bindings) {
    Card* card = (Card*)evaluatedObject;
    NSArray* tagArray = card.tags;
    for(NSString* tag in tagArray) {
       if( [keywords containsObject: tag] ) 
          return YES;
    }

    return NO;
}];

NSArray* result = [arrayOfCards filteredArrayUsingPredicate: containsAKeyword];

answered Jul 2, 2012 at 11:51

Paul de Lange

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2 Comments

Paul de Lange Over a year ago

I'm in love with the answer by @Vignesh

Paul de Lange Over a year ago

I forgive you. I mean it is the first time I have seen ANY used correctly

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