Converting a string to a class type in Swift

Question

I am wanting to convert a string into a class type.

func getViewController(sbName: String, vcName: String, vcType: String) -> UIViewController{
    let classType = ????? //What to put here?
    let sb = UIStoryboard(name: sbName, bundle: nil)
    var vc = sb.instantiateViewControllerWithIdentifier(vcName) as classType

    return vc 
}

If anyone could lead me in the right direction, I'd greatly appreciate it! I have a feeling there is a way to do it but have not been able to find a way how.

drewag · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-09 03:33:37Z

2

If you are only worried about Objective-C based classes, you can use NSClassFromString("ClassName")

However, your method is returning UIViewController explicitly. Casting vc to the class type is not going to help you at all.

Perhaps a generic method would be better for you:

func getViewController<T: UIViewController>(sbName: String, vcName: String) -> T {
    let sb = UIStoryboard(name: sbName, bundle: nil)
    var vc = sb.instantiateViewControllerWithIdentifier(vcName) as T
    return vc
}

The type can then be inferred from the variable you are trying to assign this to:

var viewController: MyViewController = getViewController("ASDF", "ASDF")

answered Nov 9, 2014 at 3:33

drewag

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1 Comment

Pieter Over a year ago

Thanks, this fixed my issue too. Your answer should be accepted!

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