The search function below returns a name if it is found in the array and an empty string if it is not found. Modify the

Question

The search function below returns a name if it is found in the array and an empty string if it is not found. Modify the search function to return an optional instead of just a String. In addition, you have to make sure the function returns a nil if the name is not found in the array.
```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 ""
}
```

Srinivasan Senthil · Answer

func search(#name: String) -> String {
    let names = ["Doc","Grumpy","Happy","Sleepy","Bashful","Sneezy","Dopey"]
    for index in names
    {
        if index == name {
            return index
        }
    }
    return "No Name Found"
}
search(name: "John")
Assuming that you understood all about the for in loop function in swift.
Just a brush up.
In the above example, you are given an array. which is assigned to a constant "names".
Then you have declared a for in loop where each value in your array is assigned to the value index. 
you have called it "N" in your example. However both are same. 
Then the index is checked with the name passed through the function. 
And if they are equal, then you are asking them to return the  "Name".
If the name the is not there, then print "Name Not Found"
Now coming to optionals:
You can make a variable as an optional.
To do that just add "?" to the end of the variable.
So what is it?
While accessing optional variable through a method or function:
If the optional contains a value, the property, method, or subscript call succeeds, returning the value.
if the optional is nil, then property, method, or subscript call returns nil.
Nil means NOT zero. It means there is a value, but nothing as of now.(Some thing Like that :)  )
**********************************Your Program***************************************
func search(#name: String) -> String? {
    let names = ["Doc","Grumpy","Happy","Sleepy","Bashful","Sneezy","Dopey"]
    for index in names
    {
        if index == name {
            return index
        }
    }
    return "Nil"
}
search(name: "John")
Explanation:
    1. Add ? at the end of the return datatype.
    2. This will make the return type variable as optional value.
    3. The last return statement should be mentioned as Return "Nil".
Now initalize the function and see if you get the value or not.
Happy Coding.
Watch the vide once again, you will understand. Trust me.

Mohammed Hossain · Answer

I am very lost with this lesson and task and i have no idea what is going :/ any clarifications or comments is appreciated. thank you

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Mohammed Hossain

Mohammed Hossain

The search function below returns a name if it is found in the array and an empty string if it is not found. Modify the

2 Answers

Srinivasan Senthil

Srinivasan Senthil

Mohammed Hossain

Mohammed Hossain