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iOS Swift Functions and Optionals Optionals What is an Optional?

Adrian Yeow
Adrian Yeow
13,866 Points
Posted by Adrian Yeow
Adrian Yeow
13,866 Points

return nil

for n in names { if n == name { return n } } return nil

In the code above, couldn't we just write for n in names { if n == name { return n } else { return nil } }

search.swift 
func search(#name: String) -> String? {
    let names = ["Doc","Grumpy","Happy","Sleepy","Bashful","Sneezy","Dopey"]
    for n in names {
        if n == name {
            return n
        }
    }
    return nil
}

if let na = search(name: "Doc") {
  println("\(na) is found in the array!")
}

1 Answer

Luke Glazebrook
Luke Glazebrook
13,564 Points

You could do this but then it would return nil before the loop had even finished! If you entered "Adrian" the loop would begin and your name wouldn't match up with "Doc" so it would return nil straight away thus cancelling the loop!

I hope this helped you out!