How to access variables when preparing for segue? - ios

Question

I'm preparing for a Segue (just learning at the moment!) and want to pass an array, which is created in a function, through a segue to arrive at the new view controller.
It's working fine if I just put a text string in there, but when I try change to an array it is blank - I think because it can't access the array because it's outside the scope - but I'm stuck on how to do it
Here's the initial VC code :
override func prepare(for segue: UIStoryboardSegue, sender: Any?) {
if segue.identifier == "goToWorkout" {
if let destVC = segue.destination as? WorkoutViewController {
destVC.workoutName = (testArray)
}
}
//Get the new view controller using segue.destinationViewController.
//Pass the selected object to the new view controller.
}
func testfunction() {
let testArray = ["blah","blah","ploop"]
}
and the 'receiving VC code'
class WorkoutViewController: UIViewController {
var workoutName = [String]()
override func viewDidLoad() {
super.viewDidLoad()
print(workoutName)
// Do any additional setup after loading the view.
}
I'm nearly there with it but think I must be missing something basic. How do you do this passing arrays/other variables created in functions?
If the function had more than 1 variable/array, would that change the approach? I.e. one function might produce the exercises in the workout AND the number of reps for example

Answer 1

You can send it in sender
self.performSegue(withIdentifier: "goToWorkout ", sender: testArray)
and in
override func prepare(for segue: UIStoryboardSegue, sender: Any?) {
if segue.identifier == "goToWorkout" {
if let destVC = segue.destination as? WorkoutViewController {
destVC.workoutName = sender as! [String]
}
}

Answer 2

Yes, both occurrences of testArray are not in the same scope and the compiler complains.
Declare the function this way
func testfunction() -> [String] {
let testArray = ["blah","blah","ploop"]
return testArray
}
and assign the array by calling the function
destVC.workoutName = testfunction()

Answer 3

Your issue is caused by testArray being a local variable defined inside the testfunction function making it only accessible from inside the function. If you want to make a variable accessible from everywhere inside the class, you'll have to make it an instance property.
class InitialVC: UIViewController {
let testArray = ["blah","blah","ploop"]
override func prepare(for segue: UIStoryboardSegue, sender: Any?) {
if segue.identifier == "goToWorkout" {
if let destVC = segue.destination as? WorkoutViewController {
destVC.workoutName = testArray
}
}
//Get the new view controller using segue.destinationViewController.
//Pass the selected object to the new view controller.
}
}

Answer 4

When saying:
destVC.workoutName = (testArray)
in the prepare(for segue: UIStoryboardSegue, sender: Any?) method, it definitely doesn't refers to testArray variable in testfunction(), since it is a local variable. If you are not getting a compile time error at the above line, then probably your declaring testArray somewhere in the view controller or maybe globally in the app.
So what you could do is to declare testfunction() as testfunction() -> [String]:
func testfunction() -> [String] {
return["blah","blah","ploop"]
}
thus:
override func prepare(for segue: UIStoryboardSegue, sender: Any?) {
if segue.identifier == "goToWorkout" {
if let destVC = segue.destination as? WorkoutViewController {
destVC.workoutName = testfunction()
}
}
}

Answer 5

func testfunction() -> [String] {
return ["blah","blah","ploop"]
}
I guess this is what you want. Functions / methods can return values. It can be achieved by the -> syntax.
Now you can use like:
destVC.workoutName = testfunction()
Few notes
Functions, methods and variables should be named through camel case notation. So, instead of testfunction you should write testFunction (maybe choose a better name also).
Do not forget to read Apple documentation on the subject: Functions.