NSMutableArray of NSMutableDictionary with multiple keys, data structure

Question

I'm trying to create a data structure for three fields. One method can grab two fields from a sqlite database. Another method grabs data using the two fields from another sqlite database. What is a good way to store the data? The three fields I need are of type:

NSString, key: @"Name"
NSInteger, key: @"ID"
NSArray, key: @"Info"

I thought I would do an array of dictionaries. So in the first method, I get the NSString and NSInteger, create a dictionary, and create an array of those dictionaries out of it. Then I got stuck thinking how I even print out the data for a NSMutableDictionary with two keys (question #1).

Then the second thing I thought was, can I then use the Name, ID fields to get the other piece of data from another table, and add a new key/value pair into the dictionary. I wasn't sure if that could be done (question #2).

And I didn't know if there was just a better way to approach this with a different data structure (question #3).

Thanks!

What do you mean by "print out"? You can, of course, use description to do a "diagnostic dump" of the whole structure, but if you want to print things in a nice, defined format you need write the logic to do it. Basically no more difficult with NSDictionarys/NSArrays that with regular C-style structures, though. — Hot Licks
– Hot Licks, Commented Oct 12, 2011 at 23:21
@DanielRHicks Yeah I was trying to print out the values for the NSDictionary when there are multiple keys. — Crystal
– Crystal, Commented Oct 13, 2011 at 15:09

zaph · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-12 22:42:50Z

1

Create a class for the data items, an iVar for each Name, ID, Info. Then you have a lot of flexibility.

While an NSDictionary initially often seems to be an easy solution it is generally better to create a class which is really rather easy and usability is generally better.

answered Oct 12, 2011 at 22:42

zaph

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