Question

Let’s say i want to let user search for my objects using a name property of the objects.

I have no problem if the user only enters one word:
e.g: facial

My predicate will be:

NSPredicate *predicate = [NSPredicate predicateWithFormat:@"name CONTAINS[cd] %@", word]; 

But what if user enter more than one word separated by space?
I want to do sth like:

NSArray *words = [query componentsSeparatedByString:@" "];
NSPredicate *predicate = [NSPredicate predicateWithFormat:@"name CONTAINS[cd] ANY %@", words]; 

But it doesnt work. Any guidance?
Thanks!

Answer 1

Another way of doing this (and I just learnt this myself as a result of your question) is to use subqueries. Check this SO question for more details. You can use subqueries in the following manner –

NSPredicate *predicate = [NSPredicate predicateWithFormat:@"SUBQUERY(%@, $str, SELF CONTAINS[cd] $str).@count != 0", words];

NSLog(@"%@", [array filteredArrayUsingPredicate:predicate]);

This seems to work as I’ve tested it myself but this could also be the arcane & obscure way that Dave has mentioned as it finds no mention in the Predicate Programming Guide.

The format for a SUBQUERY can be found here. It’s the same link that you will find in the question linked earlier.