SSYFileFinder

A class for programmatically conducting a Spotlight search for a named file, returning an array of paths.

Superclass: NSObject
Declared In: SSYFileFinder.h

Discussion

Two class methods is exposed. findPathsWithPredicate:callbackTarget:callbackSelector: is the general, base method. findPathsWithFilename:callbackTarget:callbackSelector: is a wrapper around the base method which shows how to construct predicates for a the search you need. For a complete list of attributes, consult Apple's "MD Item Reference" documentation and scroll down to "File System Metadata Attribute Keys".

The class method creates an instance which self-destructs after the search is complete. This class requires Mac OS 10.5 or later.

Methods

+findPathsWithFilename:callbackTarget:callbackSelector:

Invokes findPathsWithPredicate:callbackTarget:callbackSelector: after constructing a predicate requiring that a results' displayName equal the passed filename.

+findPathsWithPredicate:callbackTarget:callbackSelector:

Finds paths of files with a given predicate, by doing a Spotlight search, i.e. using NSMetadaQuery

Invokes findPathsWithPredicate:callbackTarget:callbackSelector: after constructing a predicate requiring that a results' displayName equal the passed filename.

+ (void)findPathsWithFilename:(NSString*)filename callbackTarget:(id)callbackTarget callbackSelector:(SEL)callbackSelector; 

Parameters

filename

The filename to be searched for. To search for an application, use the extension ".app".

Finds paths of files with a given predicate, by doing a Spotlight search, i.e. using NSMetadaQuery

+ (void)findPathsWithPredicate:(NSPredicate*)predicate callbackTarget:(id)callbackTarget callbackSelector:(SEL)callbackSelector; 

Parameters

predicate

The predicate used to filter items, or qualify results, in the search.

callbackTarget

The object which will receive the callback.

callbackSelector

The selector in the callback target which will be invoked. This selector should take one argument, an NSArray, and should return void.

Discussion

Runs asynchronously and returns an NSArray of NSString objects to a specified callback target object, via a specified callback selector.

Last Updated: Monday, September 29, 2008