Getting xml file from web for iPhone App

Question

Im having an app get an xml file from the web and process it. Ive got the processing part down, ive even got the downloading part done. Problem is so far ive only downloaded a generic xml file hardcoded into the app. I need the user to input a value of the file to get. As a matter of fact, ive been thinking that i may even use the UniqueIdentifier for the iphone to make the file unique enough without the hassle of having to search thru user/pass combinations. So i have the webform to have users enter the values and then their iphones unique ID. But i need to have the user get the unique ID from their phone. Unfortunately ive been able to find this:
UIDevice *device = [UIDevice currentDevice];
NSString *uniqueIdentifier = [device uniqueIdentifier];
[device release];
NSLog(@"Device GUID:%@", uniqueIdentifier);
but this number does not show up on the iPhone UserInterface, so my user would have no way of knowing what his/her uniqueIdentifier is
So my question is 2-fold:
1. If UniqueIdentifier is the best way to go, how do i have my users visualize their UniqueIdentifier in order to give their xml file that name?
2. If the user/pass is the best way to go, id have to store user, pass and file name in a database online and have the user create an account which would generate a unique idFilename for him/her and that way fetch the file.

Answer 1

Hi Marcio -
I suspect I don't understand your requirements, so if my reply is irrelevant, please tell us a little more about what you're trying to do.
Marcio Valenzuela wrote:
1. If UniqueIdentifier is the best way to go, how do i have my users visualize their UniqueIdentifier in order to give their xml file that name?
I'm not sure what you mean by visualize. If you want the user to see the device id, why not populate a label or text field with it? Otherwise, why not just insert the id into the request yourself? E.g.:
UIDevice *device = [UIDevice currentDevice];
NSString *uniqueIdentifier = [device uniqueIdentifier];
// [device release]; <-- do not release object you don't own
NSLog(@"Device GUID:%@", uniqueIdentifier);
textField1.text = uniqueIdentifier; // if we think the user wants to see this
[self addIdToRequest:uniqueIdentifier]; // implementation is an exercise for the student
2. If the user/pass is the best way to go, id have to store user, pass and file name in a database online and have the user create an account which would generate a unique idFilename for him/her and that way fetch the file.
This is up to you. If the download isn't confidential info, it might be ok to rely on the device id. Otherwise you clearly put the owner's info at risk in case someone else operates the device.
Im having an app get an xml file from the web and process it.
I'm not sure why you included this info about the downloaded data format, and that's one reason I'm not sure I understand the problem. But I hope the above will help you see what needs to be clarified.
- Ray