sorting 2D arrays in Objective C - objective-c

Question

I'm stuck with sorting 2D arrays in objective c. I have a 2D array which I made from two string arrays.
NSArray *totalRatings = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:namesArray,ratingsArray,nil];
I've pulled the values using:
for (int i=0; i<2; i++) {
for (int j=0; j<5; j++) {
NSString *strings = [[totalRatings objectAtIndex:i] objectAtIndex:j];
NSLog(#"i=%i, j=%i, = %# \n",i,j,strings);
}
}
Firstly, I wonder whether there is a more elegant method for working with the length of the totalRatings array. Secondly, here is what the totalRatings array contains:
Person 1, 12
Person 2, 5
Person 3, 9
Person 4, 10
Person 7, 2
Since these are all strings, how can these be sorted? I'm looking for:
Person 1, 12
Person 4, 10
Person 3, 9
Person 2, 5
Person 7, 2
I'd appreciate any help you can provide.

Answer 1

You may want to use a dictionary to deal with this data, instead of two distinct arrays.
Instead of what you have now, why don't you put the record for each person on a dictionary:
NSArray *totalRatings = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:
[NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjectsAndKeys:#"Person 1", #"name", [NSNumber numberWithInt:12], #"rating", nil],
[NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjectsAndKeys:#"Person 2", #"name", [NSNumber numberWithInt:5], #"rating", nil],
[NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjectsAndKeys:#"Person 3", #"name", [NSNumber numberWithInt:9], #"rating", nil],
[NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjectsAndKeys:#"Person 4", #"name", [NSNumber numberWithInt:10], #"rating", nil],
[NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjectsAndKeys:#"Person 7", #"name", [NSNumber numberWithInt:2], #"rating", nil],
nil];
NSArray *sortedArray = [totalRatings sortedArrayUsingDescriptors:[NSArray arrayWithObject:[NSSortDescriptor sortDescriptorWithKey:#"rating" ascending:NO]]];