iPhone core data preset

Question

What is the best way to initialize Core Data database with content. My iPhone app will have a static database with products (data and images). How/where to store images, how to pre-populate database?

Answer 1

Here is what I did:

• Create the database inside the iPhone app
• I created the model in XCode and do a query against the database (this creates the database)
• My static data is a CSV file
• Use a Ruby script to read the CSV file
• Use the ruby gem sqlite3 to insert data into the database
• Copy back into project

Alternative:

• Store the CSV/XML file containing data inside the app
• Parse it on startup and create your NSMAnagedObjects

Tools/Resources:

• Base software for editing/viewing a sqlite3 database

Database Location: I'm afraid I don't remember it on the top of my head but when you use the simulator your application will be built and copied into a directory. I think the path to your application will be something like this. The database depending on how it is setup is usually in the Documents folder.

~User/Library/Application Settings/iOS Simulator/<version>/<app id>/