NSMutableArray - Get Arrays Index Integer By Searching With A String

Question

I have been working with NSMutableArray and have had no problems retrieving an object from an array by using objectAtIndex:int. Rather then pulling an object out of the array by an integer is their a way to get the index position by searching the array with a string.

animalOptions = [[NSMutableArray alloc] init]; 
//Add items
[animalOptions addObject:@"Fish"];
[animalOptions addObject:@"Bear"];
[animalOptions addObject:@"Bird"];
[animalOptions addObject:@"Cow"];
[animalOptions addObject:@"Sheep"];

NSString * buttonTitle = [animalOptions objectAtIndex:1];
// RETURNS BEAR

int * objectIndex = [animalOptions object:@"Bear"];
// THIS IS WHAT I NEED HELP WITH, PULLING AN INDEX INTEGER WITH A STRING (ex: Bear)

Hopefully this makes sense, and there is an answer out there, I have been unable to research online and find anything through google or apple's class references.

Solution

You can use the indexOfObject: method from NSArray:

NSUInteger index = [animalOptions indexOfObject:@"Bear"];

If there are duplicate entries then the lowest index of that object is returned. For more information, take a look at the docs.

Comments

[fbrereto]

Will this work with two different NSStrings -- the one in the array and the parameter being passed? Or is the comparison "deep"?

[bbullis21]

Thank You! Amazingly quick response, This solved my question.

[Alex Rozanski]

Yes – equality is tested by sending an isEqual: message to the object. An NSString instance will return YES if the string values are equal, even if they are two different instances.

[Nico]

You should use NSUInteger, not int, particularly if you intend to support 64-bit Mac OS X.