Dear all,

I have run into the following issue: I am trying to decode a json file that consists of different sub-classes with different information degrees. Let me explain with a simplified example:

Class

class Vehicle: Codable {
    var currentlyDrives: Bool
    var speed: Double

    init(drives: Bool, speed: Double) {
        self.currentlyDrives = drives
        self.speed = speed
    }
}

class Car: Vehicle {
    var numberOfPassengers: Int

    init(drives: Bool, speed: Double, numPax: Int) {
        self.numberOfPassengers = numPax
        super.init(drives: drives, speed: speed)
    }

    required init(from decoder: Decoder) throws {
        let container = try decoder.container(keyedBy: CodingKeys.self)
        numberOfPassengers = try container.decode(Int.self, forKey: .numberOfPassengers)
        try super.init(from: decoder)
    }

    override func encode(to encoder: Encoder) throws {
        var container = encoder.container(keyedBy: CodingKeys.self)
        try container.encode(numberOfPassengers, forKey: .numberOfPassengers)
        try super.encode(to: encoder)
    }

    enum CodingKeys: String, CodingKey {
        case numberOfPassengers
    }
}

If I am creating instances of both "Vehicles" and "Cars" and putting everything in an array, I have no problem encoding to a proper JSON file (including all properties of Cars if we have a car and only properties of vehicles if we have a vehicle (see below)).

let car = Car(drives: true, speed: 123, numPax: 5)
let bike = Vehicle(drives: true, speed: 12)

var array = [Vehicle]()
array.append(car)
array.append(bike)

let encoded = try! JSONEncoder().encode(array)
print(String(data: encoded, encoding: .utf8)!)

The above prints a proper JSON as follows with car having the additional "numberOfPassengers" property:

[{"currentlyDrives":true,"numberOfPassengers":5,"speed":123},{"currentlyDrives":true,"speed":12}]

When decoding I am able to read back all Vehicles without a problem. However what I would like to achieve is reading back a vehicle as a car if it is one (i.e. being able to read "numberOfPassengers".

Do you have any idea how this would be achievable?

Many thanks in advance and best regards, Julian

What I want to add: when I have an array of Cars, I habe no problem reading back an array of Cars with all properties.

But what I really want to achieve is encoding an array of vehicles (which can be car OR vehicle) and then being able to cast as the actual type.

i hope this makes sense, otherwise happy to provide another example.

Any ideas are highly appreciated.

Stay healthy!