How to retrieve the pretext before an array in iOS Objective C (parse) -

array object @ index 0---:

 <merchandise:aw9jgreryq:(null)>  {     acl = "<pfacl: 0x201b2590>\";      coverphotos = "<itemphotos:l5ln3zn5rm>\";     item = ugh;     listingprice = 356;     originalprice = "25)";     user = "<pfuser:kdrfesaja3>"; }, 

i have implemented ios app using parse.com

in have array of objects (array of dictionaries)

in have print 1st object of array..

i have pre text merchandise:aw9jgreryq:(null before every object / dictionary related object id

i want pretext " merchandise:aw9jgreryq:(null) " or atleast "aw9jgreryq"

how ..>?

total entire array of objects is

array-------

(     "<merchandise:aw9jgreryq:(null)>       {\n    acl = \"<pfacl: 0x201b2590>\";\n    coverphotos = \"<itemphotos:l5ln3zn5rm>\";\n    photos = \"<pfrelation: 0x201bff80>(<00000000>.(null) -> itemphotos)\";\n    brand = \"baby gap\";\n    description = \"\\nfight\";\n    item = ugh;\n    listingprice = 356;\n    originalprice = \"25)\";\n    user = \"<pfuser:kdrfesaja3>\";\n}",       "<merchandise:bmpfijerwi:(null)>       {\n    acl = \"<pfacl: 0x201a2300>\";\n    coverphotos = \"<itemphotos:4pm7vx7q26>\";\n    photos = \"<pfrelation: 0x2019a490>(<00000000>.(null) -> itemphotos)\";\n    brand = \"3 pommes\";\n    description = sett;\n    item = udder;\n    listingprice = 245;\n    originalprice = 245;\n    user = \"<pfuser:kdrfesaja3>\";\n}"  ) 

it seems have 2 options this. either parse each 1 out string (definitely less elegant/way uglier way). or looks more array of arrays contain string , dictionary.

if ends being second option, grab object @ index 0 twice pretext looking for. however, if thats no avail..then can go so:

//convert object nsstring nsstring *converted = (nsstring*)[yourarray objectatindex:i]; //or..your may need nsstring *converted = [nsstring stringwithformat:@"%@",[yourarray objectatindex:0]]; nsarray *firstsplitterarray = [converted componentsseparatedbystring:@"<"];//split < nsstring *partialsplit = [splitterarray objectatindex:0]; nsarray *secondsplitterarray = [partialsplit componentsseparatedbystring:@">"];//split > nsstring *yourpretext = [secondsplitterarray objectatindex:0];//final step  //now yourpretext should equal merchandise:aw9jgreryq:(null) 

i wrote according first code snippet. if there leading quotation mark or something, you'll need change indexes. gives idea. print statements verify arrays @ each step , go. not cleanest, if in pinch work.