如何从.plist文件初始化NSStrings的NSArray的NSMutableDictionary？

Question

For example, the dictionary of array of strings, for who likes what :

@"John"  -> [@"Books", @"TV", @"Poker", nil] 
@"Peter" -> [@"Programming", @"Simsons", nil] 
@"Tim"   -> [@"Travel", @"Photography", nil] 

How can I initialize the NSMutableDictionary for above, say, the data is from a .plist ? Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, if you simply invoke -writeToFile: on the NSDictionary holding the NSArray instances, it will write it out to a plist file that you specify.

Then, you can use -initWithContentsOfFile: to re-create that same NSDictionary , holding the same NSArray data as well.

Answer 2

Create an empty plist file in your project.

Set the root initial value to dictionary.

Add each person as a key and set the value type to array. (right click)

Press the expand button (little plus on right of selected line) to get Item0, Item1, etc for each person. Set the value for each of these. (Books, TV, Poker, etc)

Save the file.

Use

NSString *path = [[NSBundle mainBundle] pathForResource:@"<plist name w/out extension" ofType:@"plist"];
NSDictionary *dict = [NSDictionary dictionaryWithContentsOfFile:path];