Question

A seemingly simple question: Can I have some sort of Number object, which can be nil but which I can assign like a primitive int:

like this:

NSNumber *n = nil; 
n = 3; 

if(n == nil){ 
    // some actions... 
} else if (n == 1){ 
    // some actions... 
} else { 
    // some actions... 
}

Thanks for your input

Answer 1

The answer is NO. If the variable is an object you can either assign another object,

n = anotherNSNumber;

or, set the value by using properties or by methods,

n = [NSNumber numberWithInt:3];

and, compare the object with another object,

if (n == anotherNSNumber) // Checks the reference

or compare its value by using properties/methods,

if (([n intValue] == 3) || ([n intValue] == [anotherNSNumber intValue]))