How to export data to a csv file with iOS?

Question

My application has a function which can export some data to a csv file, and then copied to PC. What api to use to implement this function?

Answer 1

Exporting to a csv file is typically not very difficult. Importing it is much trickier to do correctly.

to export data to a csv file do the following: (pseudocode)

1) open file 2) export column names

 int cnt=0;
 foreach(String columnname in columns)
 {
      if(cnt!=0) //write the delimiter
      {
           file.WriteText(",");  //could also be a tab delimiter
      }
      file.WriteText(columnName) //write columnname
      cnt++;
 }

3) write all the data to the csv

 foreach(StringArray row in rows)
 {
      cnt=0;
      foreach(String fieldValue in row)
      {
           if(cnt!=0) //write the delimiter
           {
                file.WriteText(",");  //could also be a tab delimiter
           }
           file.WriteText(fieldValue) //write fieldvalue
           cnt++;
      }
 }

please beware of the fact that the delimiter might also be part of the value. If this happens, the complete field should be enclosed in double quotes.