swiftprotocolsencodable

Why can't we use protocol `Encodable` as a type in the func?


I'm trying to get data by encode model which conforms to Encodable protocol. But it's failed to invoke func encode like code below:

// MARK: - Demo2

class TestClass2: NSObject, Encodable {
    var x = 1
    var y = 2
}


var dataSource2: Encodable?

dataSource2 = TestClass2()

// error: `Cannot invoke 'encode' with an argument list of type '(Encodable)'`
let _ = try JSONEncoder().encode(dataSource2!)
//func encode<T>(_ value: T) throws -> Data where T : Encodable

But in another demo, it works well, why?

// MARK: - Demo1

protocol TestProtocol {
    func test()
}

class TestClass1: NSObject, TestProtocol {
    func test() {
        print("1")
    }

    var x = 1
    var y = 2
}


var dataSource1: TestProtocol?

dataSource1 = TestClass1()


func logItem(_ value: TestProtocol) {
    value.test()
}

logItem(dataSource1!)

Solution

  • Solution 1.

    Try this code, which extend encodable

    extension Encodable {
        func toJSONData() -> Data? { try? JSONEncoder().encode(self) }
    }
    

    Solution 2.

    To avoid polluting Apple-provided protocols with extensions

    protocol MyEncodable: Encodable {
        func toJSONData() -> Data?
    }
    
    extension MyEncodable {
        func toJSONData() -> Data?{ try? JSONEncoder().encode(self) }
    }
    

    Use

    var dataSource2: Encodable?
    dataSource2 = TestClass2()
    let data = dataSource2?.toJSONData()