ReflectedStringConvertible

A protocol that extends CustomStringConvertible and uses reflection to add a detailed textual representation to any class. Two styles are supported:

1. normal: Similar to Swift’s default textual representation of structs.
2. json: Pretty JSON representation.

Usage

Simply import ReflectedStringConvertible and conform to the ReflectedStringConvertible protocol:

import ReflectedStringConvertible

class YourClass: ReflectedStringConvertible {
  // that's all.
}

For example:

class Person: ReflectedStringConvertible {
  var name: String
  var age: Int

  init(name: String, age: Int) {
    self.name = name
    self.age = age
  }
}

print(Person(name: "Matt", age: 33)) outputs:

Person(name: "Matt", age: 33)

A style may be specified with reflectedDescription(style:). The default style is normal. That is, calling description is the same as calling reflectedDescription(.normal).

For example, print(Person(name: "Matt", age: 33).reflectedDescription(.json)) outputs:

{
  "age" : 33,
  "name" : "Matt"
}

Refer to the API Documentation for further information.

Features

ReflectedStringConvertible stored properties

ReflectedStringConvertible objects with ReflectedStringConvertible stored properties are handled correctly:

class Movie: ReflectedStringConvertible {
  var title: String
  var year: Int

  // another ReflectedStringConvertible
  var director: Person

  init(title: String, year: Int, director: Person) {
    self.title = title
    self.year = year
    self.director = director
  }
}

let george = Person(name: "George Miller", age: 71)
let movie = Movie(title: "Mad Max", year: 2015, director: george)

print(movie.reflectedDescription(.normal)) (or just print(movie)) outputs:

Movie(title: "Mad Max", year: 2015, director: Person(name: "George Miller", age: 71))

And print(movie.reflectedDescription(.json)) outputs:

{
  "title" : "Mad Max",
  "year" : 2015,
  "director" : {
    "age" : 71,
    "name" : "George Miller"
  }
}

Collections

ReflectedStringConvertible objects within Array, Dictionary and Set collections are handled correctly:

class Series: ReflectedStringConvertible {
  var title: String
  var cast: [Person]

  init(title: String, cast: [Person]) {
    self.cast = cast
  }
}

var cast = [Person]()

cast.append(Person(name: "Justin Theroux", age: 44))
cast.append(Person(name: "Carrie Coon", age: 35))

let series = Series(title: "The Leftovers", cast: cast)

print(series) outputs:

TVShow(title: "The Leftovers", cast: [Person(name: "Justin Theroux", age: 44), Person(name: "Carrie Coon", age: 35)])

print(series.reflectedDescription(.json)) outputs:

{
  "title" : "The Leftovers",
  "cast" : [
    {
      "age" : 44,
      "name" : "Justin Theroux"
    },
    {
      "age" : 35,
      "name" : "Carrie Coon"
    }
  ]
}

Credits

Developed by Matt Comi (@mattcomi)