Database.database().reference() is nil - ios

Question

I'm creating an iMessage app that needs to connect to the same database as my regular app.
I call FirebaseApp.configure() and I authenticate the user but for some reason after all of that Database.database().reference() is null even though it is supposed to be a non null value.
var ref: DatabaseReference!
override func viewDidLoad() {
super.viewDidLoad()
if FirebaseApp.app() == nil {
FirebaseApp.configure()
Database.database().isPersistenceEnabled = true
print("FIREAPP Configed")
print(FirebaseApp.app())
signIn() //Use kept google credentials to log in
configureDatabase()
}
}
func configureDatabase() {
ref = Database.database().reference()
print(ref)
}
I'm expecting Database.database().reference() to be the root reference of the database instead of nil. Thanks for any help in advance!

Answer 1

I was also struggling with similar errors.
In my situation, my understanding of CocoaPods was not enough.
Before:
target 'MyApp' do
use_frameworks!
pod 'Firebase/Database'
target 'MyAppTests' do
inherit! :search_paths
end
target 'MyFrameWorkA' do
inherit! :search_paths
end
target 'MyFrameWorkB' do
inherit! :search_paths
end
end
After:
abstract_target 'AnyTargets' do # Anything that doesn't duplicate the actual target name
use_frameworks!
pod 'Firebase/Database'
target 'MyApp' do
end
target 'MyAppTests' do
end
target 'MyFrameWorkA' do
end
target 'MyFrameWorkB' do
end
end
I was able to consult your questions when looking for a solution.
I hope you solve the problem.

Answer 2

It seems you're confused about this line:
ref = Database.database().reference()
This merely sets up a reference to the root of the database. It doesn't load any data yet.
To actually load the data, attach a listener to the reference:
ref.observeSingleEvent(of: .value, with: { (snapshot) in
print(snapshot.value)
}) { (error) in
print(error.localizedDescription)
}
Note that data is loaded from Firebase asynchronously. Any code that needs the data, must be inside the completion handler (as above) or be called from there.
Also see the Firebase documentation on reading and writing data.

Answer 3

I stumbled over this error as well and the solution for me was adding 'Firebase/Core' to my pod file. I am not sure if this is common knowledge, but on setting up my firebase database project I never read about adding this specific pod.
My pod file after rewriting it:
target 'MyApp' do
# Comment the next line if you're not using Swift and don't want to use dynamic frameworks
use_frameworks!
# Pods for MyApp
# add pods for desired Firebase products
# https://firebase.google.com/docs/ios/setup#available-pods
pod 'Firebase/Database'
pod 'Firebase/Core'
end