# components(separatedBy:) Returns an array containing substrings from the string that have been divided by the given separator. ``` func components(separatedBy separator: T) -> [String] where T : StringProtocol ``` ## Parameters `separator` The separator string. ## Return Value An array containing substrings that have been divided from the string using `separator`. ## Discussion The substrings in the resulting array appear in the same order as the original string. Adjacent occurrences of the separator string produce empty strings in the result. Similarly, if the string begins or ends with the separator, the first or last substring, respectively, is empty. The following example shows this behavior: ``` let list1 = "Karin, Carrie, David" let items1 = list1.components(separatedBy: ", ") // ["Karin", "Carrie", "David"] // Beginning with the separator: let list2 = ", Norman, Stanley, Fletcher" let items2 = list2.components(separatedBy: ", ") // ["", "Norman", "Stanley", "Fletcher" ``` If the list has no separators, the array contains only the original string itself. ``` let name = "Karin" let list = name.components(separatedBy: ", ") // ["Karin"] ``` --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)