Data
- Apps consume data from various sources, in different formats.
- Incoming data is usually transformed into "native" objects.
- The app's functionality is built around these objects.
XML
- The NotEuros app uses XML data supplied by the European Central Bank, updated daily.
- Data is extracted using XMLParserDelegate...
- ...and is then used to create custom "native" objects.
- The XML includes a timestamp, which the app checks against it's saved data, to schedule updates.
Firebase
- ThankYouTheApp connects to it's database using the Firebase iOS API.
- The data includes text, geolocations, thumbnails, and high-resolution images.
- This is used to setup "native" objects, and to customize the app's appearance.
- User-created data and photos are converted, and uploaded to Firebase.
JSON
- The RycoteGPS app is used to map GPS Trackers.
- API calls return JSON data, which is parsed to extract location and other information.
CSV
- The BusbarMonitor app uses Bluetooth to connect to a custom hardware data-logger (which is attached to a series of electrical busbars).
- The iPad becomes the busbar's user-interface.
- Data is transferred in CSV format, with an optional CRC for error-detection.
- The CSV data is interpreted as voltage and resistance readings, which are displayed in tabular and graphical formats.
HTML
- Sometimes it's necessary to parse HTML, to extract data from a web page.
- In this example, we're looking for car recall information.
Barcodes and QR Codes
- iOS apps can scan and interpret Barcodes and QRcodes, which can then be used to lookup further information.
- In this app, hotel rooms have a wall-mounted QR code.
- After scanning, the app can change various room settings, by linking to a custom buetooth control panel.
- Here, we turn on the air conditioning.