Define a constant dictionary Objective-C

Question

Using Objective-C, I have a dictionary of 30 entry, I am trying to define it in my Constants file the same way I am defining String or Int :

define key @"value"

Is it possible to define a dictionary in this way?
If yes, what's the syntax to define an Array?

Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

You can define whatever you want. If you write

#define identifier replacement

Preprocessor during compilation (actually before he compiles anything) looks for indentifier in your source code and replaces it with replacement .

You can define your dictionary or array in this way

#define kDictionary @{"key" : "value"\
                      "key2" : "value2"}
#define kArray @["item1", "item2"]

Backslash at the end of line is required for multiline defines.

However I don't recommend to use #define . You should rather create class with class method that will provide you with the dictionary/array. It is less error prone.