I am trying to retrieve data from Firebase and store that data outside of the closure that retrieves that data.
var stringNames = [String] ()
ref?.observeEventType(.Value, withBlock: { snapshot in
var newNames: [String] = []
for item in snapshot.children {
if let item = item as? FIRDataSnapshot {
let postDict = item.value as! [String: String]
newNames.append(postDict["name"]!)
}
}
stringNames = newNames
})
print(stringNames)
stringNames comes back empty, but when I print from inside the closure it has the correct data. Any help would be much appreciated, thank you!
That's because when you fetch data from Firebase the call is Asynchronous. What you can do:
Option 1 - Set your logic inside the closure (Like what you have that print the var inside the closure).
Option 2 - Define your own closure that going to receive your data like:
func myMethod(success:([String])->Void){
ref?.observeEventType(.Value, withBlock: { snapshot in
var newNames: [String] = []
for item in snapshot.children {
if let item = item as? FIRDataSnapshot {
let postDict = item.value as! [String: String]
newNames.append(postDict["name"]!)
}
}
success(newNames)
})
}
Option 3 - Use the delegate pattern
protocol MyDelegate{
func didFetchData(data:[String])
}
class MyController : UIViewController, MyDelegate{
func myMethod(success:([String])->Void){
ref?.observeEventType(.Value, withBlock: { snapshot in
var newNames: [String] = []
for item in snapshot.children {
if let item = item as? FIRDataSnapshot {
let postDict = item.value as! [String: String]
newNames.append(postDict["name"]!)
}
}
self.didFetchData(newNames)
})
}
func didFetchData(data:[String]){
//Do what you want
}
}