Check if an URL has got http:// prefix

Question

Hi,
In my application, when the user add an object, can also add a link for this object and then the link can be opened in a webView.
I tried to save a link without http:// prefix, then open it in the webView but that can't open it!
Before webView starts loading, is there a method to check if the URL saved has got http:// prefix? And if it hasn't got it, how can I add the prefix to the URL?
Thanks!

Answer 1

I am not sure if there is any method to check that but you check it in the code.

try using NSRange range = [urlString rangeOfString:@"http://"]; if (range.location != NSNotFound) // Add http://

Answer 2

You can use the - (BOOL)hasPrefix:(NSString *)aString method on NSString to see if an NSString containing your URL starts with the http:// prefix, and if not add the prefix.

NSString *myURLString = @"www.google.com";
NSURL *myURL;
if ([myURLString hasPrefix:@"http://"]) {
    myURL = [NSURL URLWithString:myURLString];
} else {
    myURL = [NSURL URLWithString:[NSString StringWithFormat:@"http://%@",myURLString]];
}

I'm currently away from my mac and can't compile/test this code, but I believe the above should work.

Answer 3

NSString * urlString = ...;
NSURL * url = [NSURL URLWithString:urlString];
if (![[url scheme] length])
{
  url = [NSURL URLWithString:[@"http://" stringByAppendingString:urlString]];
}