Can someone explain to me what the documents directory is on an iOS app and when to use it?
Here is what I believe at present:
To me, it seems to be a central folder where the user can store any files needed for the app.
This would be a different location than where Core Data stores its data?
It seems like each app gets its own documents directory.
I am free to create a subdirectory of the documents directory, like documents directory/images, or documents directory/videos?
Like others mentioned, your app runs in a sandboxed environment and you can use the documents directory to store images or other assets your app may use, eg. downloading offline-d files as user prefers - File System Basics - Apple Documentation - Which directory to use, for storing application specific files
Updated to swift 5, you can use one of these functions, as per requirement -
func getDocumentsDirectory() -> URL {
let paths = FileManager.default.urls(for: .documentDirectory, in: .userDomainMask)
return paths[0]
}
func getCacheDirectory() -> URL {
let paths = FileManager.default.urls(for: .cachesDirectory, in: .userDomainMask)
return paths[0]
}
func getApplicationSupportDirectory() -> URL {
let paths = FileManager.default.urls(for: .applicationSupportDirectory, in: .userDomainMask)
return paths[0]
}
Usage:
let urlPath = "https://jumpcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/SSH-Keys.png" //Or string path to some URL of valid image, for eg.
if let url = URL(string: urlPath){
let destination = getDocumentsDirectory().appendingPathComponent(url.lastPathComponent)
do {
let data = try Data(contentsOf: url) //Synchronous call, just as an example
try data.write(to: destination)
} catch _ {
//Do something to handle the error
}
}