How to open local file in a view controller

Question

I have an application which downloads file from the server. i want to open these files present in the file system in a new view controller.

What can I do to open the files without using web view

Answer 1

I'm not sure if I really understand what your problem is, because it is kind of straight forward. I assume you have downloaded the files to a path of your choice. If not, you most go looking for them, which can be a bit cumbersome. So, you have downloaded your files to the directory of your choice. This can either be a global string or you pass it on to the new view controller.

If it is not a global string, since, for instance, the folder name change each time you download a different file, you have a prepare for segue like this:

override func prepare(for segue: UIStoryboardSegue, sender: Any?) {

    if let identifier = segue.identifier {
        switch identifier {
        case "myIdenfifier":
            let vc = segue.destination as! NewViewController
            vc.filePathName = self.filePathName
        default:
            print("I have no idea what's going on.")
        }
    }
}

Now in the new view controller, you have the file. path that you need to retrieve your file. If the file is an image you load the image into memory using, for instance:

let retrievedImage = UIImage(contentOfFile: filePathName)

Where the filePathName is the path name of the file you passed on to your new view controller.

Hope this solves your problem.

Answer 2

You could use QLPreviewController: https://developer.apple.com/reference/quicklook/qlpreviewcontroller

Not sure if it works for plists, though.