Generic Initializer

init(_:)

Creates an array containing the elements of a sequence.

Declaration

iOS, macOS, Mac Catalyst, tvOS, watchOS
init<S>(_ elements: S) where S : Sequence, Self.Element == S.Element
iOS, macOS, Mac Catalyst, tvOS, watchOS
init<S>(_ s: S) where Element == S.Element, S : Sequence

Parameters

s

The sequence of elements to turn into an array.

Discussion

You can use this initializer to create an array from any other type that conforms to the Sequence protocol. For example, you might want to create an array with the integers from 1 through 7. Use this initializer around a range instead of typing all those numbers in an array literal.

let numbers = Array(1...7)
print(numbers)
// Prints "[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]"

You can also use this initializer to convert a complex sequence or collection type back to an array. For example, the keys property of a dictionary isn’t an array with its own storage, it’s a collection that maps its elements from the dictionary only when they’re accessed, saving the time and space needed to allocate an array. If you need to pass those keys to a method that takes an array, however, use this initializer to convert that list from its type of LazyMapCollection<Dictionary<String, Int>, Int> to a simple [String].

func cacheImagesWithNames(names: [String]) {
    // custom image loading and caching
 }

let namedHues: [String: Int] = ["Vermillion": 18, "Magenta": 302,
        "Gold": 50, "Cerise": 320]
let colorNames = Array(namedHues.keys)
cacheImagesWithNames(colorNames)

print(colorNames)
// Prints "["Gold", "Cerise", "Magenta", "Vermillion"]"

Relationships