How to check validity of URL in Swift?

Question

Trying to make an app launch the default browser to a URL, but only if the URL entered is valid, otherwise it displays a message saying the URL is invalid.

How would

Answer 1

Swift 4.2 Elegant URL construction with verification

import Foundation
import UIKit

extension URL {

  init?(withCheck string: String?) {
    let regEx = "((https|http)://)((\\w|-)+)(([.]|[/])((\\w|-)+))+"
    guard
        let urlString = string,
        let url = URL(string: urlString),
        NSPredicate(format: "SELF MATCHES %@", argumentArray: [regEx]).evaluate(with: urlString),
        UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(url)
        else {
            return nil
    }

    self = url
  }
}

Usage

var imageUrl: URL? {
    if let url = URL(withCheck: imageString) {
        return url
    }
    if let url = URL(withCheck: image2String) {
        return url
    }
    return nil
}