title: Searching through array of dictionaries with multiple criteria
body: <p>I have alot of NSDictioanries in an NSArray. Since there are about 1300 of them, and I need to search through them based of the following criteria: </p>
  
  <pre><code>1. Name
  2. DOB
  3. Type
  4. Grade
  5. Condition
  6. PUP 
  7. Unit Number
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Here's an example of such a dictionary:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&lt;Unit&gt;
  &lt;UnitNumber&gt;20110501100507134&lt;/UnitNumber&gt;
  &lt;Name&gt;01'' 2ply Mat&lt;/Name&gt;
  &lt;DOB&gt;3/24/2011 12:00:00 AM&lt;/DOB&gt;
  &lt;Type&gt;2ply Mat&lt;/Type&gt;
  &lt;Grade&gt;Cull&lt;/Grade&gt;
  &lt;Condition /&gt;
  &lt;Depth&gt;01&lt;/Depth&gt;
  &lt;Width&gt;01&lt;/Width&gt;
  &lt;Length&gt;01&lt;/Length&gt;
  &lt;PUP&gt;Cable&lt;/PUP&gt;
  &lt;Finishing /&gt;
  &lt;/Unit&gt;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Right now I am thinking about for looping through the array, search for first criterion, then for loop again through the filtered array and search for 2nd criterion and so on....
  But that's 7 for loops, through at-least  1300 dictionaries.</p>
  
  <p>What are my alternatives?
  Thanks.</p>
  
  <p>UPDATE: Ok so for each of the criteria i listed above, I am going to have text field, and user will specify the criteria there and then press the search button...(if that makes things more clear)</p>
  
  <p>Also, this is for iPhone/iPad</p>