Extracting Unique Objects from a Data Array - iphone

Question

I want to add names in a data array only if the name does not previously exist in the data array. When I attempt to print these names, I do get repetitions. Is there a way to solve this?
-(NSMutableArray *)autoComplete
{
NSMutableArray *dataArray = [[NSMutableArray alloc] init];
NSString *url = [NSString stringWithFormat:#"%#45.25,-95.25&limit=100&client_id=Von0J4Bu6INiez5bGby2R&client_secret=50sUjSbg7dba8cQgtpdfr5Ns7wyYTqtmKpUU3khQ",kWSURL];
NSDictionary * returnDict = (NSDictionary *) [self callWebService:url];
if([returnDict objectForKey:#"success"])
{
NSArray *responceArray = [returnDict objectForKey:#"response"];
for (NSDictionary *dict in responceArray) {
placeDC *place = [[placeDC alloc]init];
NSDictionary *placeDict = (NSDictionary *)[dict objectForKey:#"place" ];
NSDictionary *loctionDict =(NSDictionary *)[dict objectForKey:#"loc"];
NSString * name =[placeDict objectForKey:#"name"];
NSString * stateFull =[placeDict objectForKey:#"stateFull"];
NSString * countryFull =[placeDict objectForKey:#"countryFull"];
NSString *latitude =[loctionDict objectForKey:#"lat"];
NSString *longitude = [loctionDict objectForKey:#"long"];
place.placeNmae=name;
place.countryFullName=countryFull;
place.stateFullName=stateFull;
NSLog(#"%# ",stateFull);
place.latitude=[latitude doubleValue];
place.longitude=[longitude doubleValue];
[dataArray addObject:place];
}
}
return dataArray;
}

Answer 1

First Check that is there any response from the Server side or not, to check response use NSLog() or Break Points.
if response is ok then put a the following check your code
if (![dataArray containsObject:#"Some Name"])
{
// add Object
}

Answer 2

You could add the name NSString to an NSSet and check in every cycle whether it contains it or not.
Inside your if you could write something like:
NSArray *responceArray = [returnDict objectForKey:#"response"];
NSSet *names = [[NSSet alloc] init];
for (NSDictionary *dict in responceArray) {
NSDictionary *placeDict = (NSDictionary *)[dict objectForKey:#"place" ];
NSString * name =[placeDict objectForKey:#"name"];
if (![names containsObject:name]) {
[names addObject:name];
placeDC *place = [[placeDC alloc]init];
NSDictionary *loctionDict =(NSDictionary *)[dict objectForKey:#"loc"];
NSString * stateFull =[placeDict objectForKey:#"stateFull"];
NSString * countryFull =[placeDict objectForKey:#"countryFull"];
NSString *latitude =[loctionDict objectForKey:#"lat"];
NSString *longitude = [loctionDict objectForKey:#"long"];
place.placeNmae=name;
place.countryFullName=countryFull;
place.stateFullName=stateFull;
NSLog(#"%# ",stateFull);
place.latitude=[latitude doubleValue];
place.longitude=[longitude doubleValue];
[dataArray addObject:place];
}
}
Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Do one thing, add your dict in another array and search in this array that data already exist or not,
[tempAry addObject: dict];
and before insertion
NSPredicate *predicate = [NSPredicate predicateWithFormat:#"name == %#", name];
NSArray *filteredArray = [tempAry filteredArrayUsingPredicate:predicate];
if ([filteredArray count] == 0)
{
[dataArray addObject:place];
}
else{
//Already exist
}

Answer 4

Why don't you create a separate dictionary, as an ivar or property of you class, for storing our required value, say it as :
NSMutableDictionary *uniqueValueDict=[NSMutableDictionary new];
And keep storing your required value and key as:
[uniqueValueDict setObject:stateFull forKey:uniqueValueDict];
Your work will be done.

Answer 5

This is the easiest solution that i have applied and this should get you going in picking up unique elements out of array.
NSArray * claimedOfferArray = [[NSArray alloc]initWithObjects:#"A",#"B",#"A",#"C",#"B" nil];
NSArray * distinctArray = [[NSArray alloc]init];
distinctArray =[[NSSet setWithArray:claimedOfferArray] allObjects];
This code will also work with NSMutableArray
Let me know if it works for you..:).