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

extension String {    
    func isStringLink() -> Bool {
        let types: NSTextCheckingResult.CheckingType = [.link]
        let detector = try? NSDataDetector(types: types.rawValue)
        guard (detector != nil && self.characters.count > 0) else { return false }
        if detector!.numberOfMatches(in: self, options: NSRegularExpression.MatchingOptions(rawValue: 0), range: NSMakeRange(0, self.characters.count)) > 0 {
            return true
        }
        return false
    }
}

//Usage
let testURL: String = "http://www.google.com"
if testURL.isStringLink() {
    //Valid!
} else {
    //Not valid.
}

It's advised to use this check only once and then reuse.

_{P.S. Credits to Shachar for this function.}