NSArray LastObject

[larswik]

Hey quick question. I have a plist that I am unpacking to add an object and re save.

 NSMutableArray *exerArray = [[NSMutableArray alloc] initWithContentsOfFile:[bpc returnPath:@"exerciseLog.plist"]];
    NSMutableDictionary *exerDict = [NSMutableDictionary dictionaryWithDictionary:[exerArray lastObject]];
    [exerDict setValue: totalCalLabel.text forKey: itemNameTextField.text];

It's the objects I need will always be at the last index so I can use "LastObject" Task from the Array class to perform that. But when I add an object to a dict and want to replace the dict that is saved at the last index of the Array I need the index number to replace that index.

The way I have been doing it is to just get the count of the Array then -1 to find the last index to write to. I was just wondering if anyone new a short cut that I can write to the lastObject just as easy as I retrieve from it.

I am not stuck and my method works just fine, I was just wondering?

Thanks

[Reason077]

Originally Posted by larswik

It's the objects I need will always be at the last index so I can use "LastObject" Task from the Array class to perform that. But when I add an object to a dict and want to replace the dict that is saved at the last index of the Array I need the index number to replace that index.

The way I have been doing it is to just get the count of the Array then -1 to find the last index to write to. I was just wondering if anyone new a short cut that I can write to the lastObject just as easy as I retrieve from it.

I am not stuck and my method works just fine, I was just wondering?

This is perfectly correct. lastObject is just a shortcut for "objectAtIndex: ([array count] - 1)".

[larswik]

Thanks Reason0777, I am always looking for little short cuts in code when possible. Since I saw the "lastObject" it got me wondering if there was the opposite of that.

It seems like Apple should make a change to "lastObject" and make Task that is "lastIndex" instead. This would allow you to read or replace to the last index of an array.

But thanks, I was just wondering!

[PhoneyDeveloper]

replaceObject:atIndex: should do what you want. If you want something like replaceLastObjectWithObject: you can easily add that with a category.

[larswik]

Yep, that is how I am currently replacing it. I have read about Categories but I have never used them. Might be a good learning experience for that. replaceObject:atIndex: required knowing the index number. Where as retrieving the last object you do not need the index number. If you could do lastObject.count in [myArray replaceObject: newObject atIndex: lastObject.count]; , although you can't of course.

It is just speculation and I don't mean to start a discussion on the subject. But I think learning / implementing categories could be a fun project for tonight.

Thanks again!