How to create Array of Dictionaries from comma separated strings? - ios

Question

I am receiving comma separated string as below which is to be converted to array of dictionaries.I tried using [myString componentsSeparatedByString:#","]; which however gives a totally different output.What is the correct way of converting it?
NSString *cancellationStr ==> [{"cutoffTime":"0-2","refundInPercentage":"0"},{"cutoffTime":"2-3","refundInPercentage":"50"},{"cutoffTime":"3-24","refundInPercentage":"90"}]
NSArray *array = [cancellationStr componentsSeparatedByString:#","];
//Gives response like below
(
"[{\"cutoffTime\":\"0-2\"",
"\"refundInPercentage\":\"0\"}",
"{\"cutoffTime\":\"2-3\"",
"\"refundInPercentage\":\"50\"}",
"{\"cutoffTime\":\"3-24\"",
"\"refundInPercentage\":\"90\"}]"
)
The code to fetch and parse using a singleton HTTP class
NSString *urlString=[NSString stringWithFormat:#"%#%#sourceCity=%#&destinationCity=%#&doj=%#",BASE_URL,AVAILABLE_BUSES,source,destination,dateStr];
urlString = [urlString stringByAddingPercentEscapesUsingEncoding:NSUTF8StringEncoding];
NSURL *url= [NSURL URLWithString:urlString];
SuccessBlock successBlock = ^(NSData *responseData){
NSError *error;
jsonDictionary = [NSJSONSerialization JSONObjectWithData:responseData options:0 error:&error];
bArray = [jsonDictionary objectForKey:#"apiAvailableBuses"];
};
FailureBlock failureBlock = ^(NSError *error){
NSLog(#"%#",error);
};
HTTPRequest *request = [[HTTPRequest alloc]initWithURL:url successBlock:successBlock failureBlock:failureBlock];
[request startRequest];
The above success block receives the string which then I am looking to convert.
NSString *cancellationStr = [[bArray objectAtIndex:rowIndex]valueForKey:#"cancellationPolicy"];
bObject.cancellationPolicy = [cancellationStr componentsSeparatedByString:#","];
NSLog(#"Cancellation Array : %#",bObject.cancellationPolicy);

Answer 1

So, "apiAvailableBusses" is an array of elements like this one:
{
"operatorId":196,
"operatorName":"Sahara Bus",
"departureTime":"6:45 PM",
"mTicketAllowed":false,
"idProofRequired":false,
"serviceId":"1602",
"fare":"450",
"busType":"Sahara Hitech Non A/c",
"routeScheduleId":"1602",
"availableSeats":29,
"partialCancellationAllowed":false,
"arrivalTime":"07:30 AM",
"cancellationPolicy":"[{\"cutoffTime\":\"12\",\"refundInPercentage\":\"0\"},{\"cutoffTime\":\"24\",\"refundInPercentage\":\"50\"}]",
"commPCT":0.0,
"boardingPoints":[
{
"time":"09:05PM",
"location":"Ameerpet,Kaveri Kmakshi Travels,Beside RKS Mall,Ameerpet, Mr.Aman-9391830030.",
"id":"6"
},
{
"time":"09:15PM",
"location":"Punjagutta,Sai Ganesh Travels, Punjagutta, Mr.Aman-9391830030.",
"id":"2241"
},
{
"time":"09:30PM",
"location":"Lakdi-ka-pool,Sahara Travels,Hotel Sri Krishna Complex,Mr.Aman-9391830030.",
"id":"2242"
},
{
"time":"08:45PM",
"location":"ESI,Behind Bajaj Show Room, Near Nani Travels. Mr.Aman-9391830030.",
"id":"2287"
},
{
"time":"09:45PM",
"location":"Nampally,Near Khaja Travels, Nampally,Mr.Aman-9391830030.",
"id":"2321"
},
{
"time":"09:16PM",
"location":"Paradise,Near SVR Travels, Paradise,Mr.Aman-9391830030.",
"id":"2322"
},
{
"time":"10:00PM",
"location":"Afzalgunj,Sahar Travels,Mr.Aman-9391830030.",
"id":"2323"
},
{
"time":"09:00PM",
"location":"Secunderbad Station,Near Asian Travels.Mr.Aman-9391830030.",
"id":"2336"
}
],
"droppingPoints":null,
"inventoryType":0
}
The "cancellationPolicy" element is a string which is what is called "embedded JSON". (Why they did that in this case I haven't a clue.) This means that the string must be fed through NSJSONSerialization again. And to convert the NSString to NSData (to feed through NSJSONSerialization again) you need to first use dataWithEncoding:NSUTF8StringEncoding.