Methods

Class methods

A class method is called on the class the method belongs to, not an instance of it. This is possible because Objective-C classes are also objects. To denote a method as a class method, change the - to a +:

+ (void)hello {
  NSLog(@"Hello World");
}

Method parameters

If you want to pass in values to a method when it is called, you use parameters:

- (int)addInt:(int)intOne toInt:(int)intTwo {
  return intOne + intTwo;
}

The colon (:) separates the parameter from the method name.

The parameter type goes in the parentheses (int).

The parameter name goes after the parameter type.

Create a basic method

This is how to create a basic method that logs ‘Hello World” to the console:

- (void)hello {
  NSLog(@"Hello World");
}

The - at the beginning denotes this method as an instance method.

The (void) denotes the return type. This method doesn’t return anything, so you enter void.

The ‘hello’ is the name of the method.

Everything in the {} is the code run when the method is called.

Return values

When you want to return a value from a method, you put the type you want to return in the first set of parentheses.

- (NSString)returnHello {
  return @"Hello World";
}

The value you want to return goes after the return keyword;

Calling methods

Calling an instance method:

[classInstance hello];

 @interface Sample
 -(void)hello; // exposing the class Instance method
 @end

 @implementation Sample
     -(void)hello{
        NSLog(@"hello");
      }
 @end

Calling an instance method on the current instance:

[self hello];

@implementation Sample

     -(void)otherMethod{
       [self hello];
     }

     -(void)hello{
        NSLog(@"hello");
      }
 @end

Calling a method that takes arguments:

[classInstance addInt:1 toInt:2];

 @implementation Sample
     -(void)add:(NSInteger)add to:(NSInteger)to
        NSLog(@"sum = %d",(add+to));
      }
 @end

Calling a class method:

[Class hello];

 @interface Sample
 +(void)hello; // exposing the class method
 @end

 @implementation Sample
     +(void)hello{
        NSLog(@"hello");
      }
 @end

Instance methods

An instance method is a method that’s available on a particular instance of a class, after the instance has been instantiated:

MyClass *instance = [MyClass new];
[instance someInstanceMethod];

Here’s how you define one:

@interface MyClass : NSObject

- (void)someInstanceMethod; // "-" denotes an instance method

@end

@implementation MyClass

- (void)someInstanceMethod {
    NSLog(@"Whose idea was it to have a method called \"someInstanceMethod\"?");
}

@end

Pass by value parameter passing

In pass by value of parameter passing to a method, actual parameter value is copied to formal parameter value. So actual parameter value will not change after returning from called function.

@interface SwapClass : NSObject

-(void) swap:(NSInteger)num1 andNum2:(NSInteger)num2;

@end

@implementation SwapClass

-(void) num:(NSInteger)num1 andNum2:(NSInteger)num2{
    int temp;
    temp = num1;
    num1 = num2;
    num2 = temp;
}
@end

Calling the methods:

NSInteger a = 10, b =20;
SwapClass *swap = [[SwapClass alloc]init];
NSLog(@"Before calling swap: a=%d,b=%d",a,b);
[swap num:a andNum2:b];
NSLog(@"After calling swap: a=%d,b=%d",a,b);

Output:

2016-07-30 23:55:41.870 Test[5214:81162] Before calling swap: a=10,b=20
2016-07-30 23:55:41.871 Test[5214:81162] After calling swap: a=10,b=20

Pass by reference parameter passing

In pass by reference of parameter passing to a method, address of actual parameter is passed to formal parameter. So actual parameter value will be changed after returning from called function.

@interface SwapClass : NSObject

-(void) swap:(int)num1 andNum2:(int)num2;

@end

@implementation SwapClass

-(void) num:(int*)num1 andNum2:(int*)num2{
    int temp;
    temp = *num1;
    *num1 = *num2;
    *num2 = temp;
}
@end

Calling the methods:

int a = 10, b =20;
SwapClass *swap = [[SwapClass alloc]init];
NSLog(@"Before calling swap: a=%d,b=%d",a,b);
[swap num:&a andNum2:&b];
NSLog(@"After calling swap: a=%d,b=%d",a,b);

Output:

2016-07-31 00:01:47.067 Test[5260:83491] Before calling swap: a=10,b=20
2016-07-31 00:01:47.070 Test[5260:83491] After calling swap: a=20,b=10

Syntax

`-` or `+`: The type of method. Instance or class?

(): Where the return type goes. Use void if you don't want to return anything!

Next is the name of the method. Use camelCase and make the name easy to remember an understand.

If your method needs parameters, now is the time! The first parameter come right after the name of the function like this `:(type)parameterName`. All the other parameters are done this way `parameterLabel:(type)parameterName`

What does your method do? Put it all here, in the curly braces {}!