Question

I have

static __weak ExplorerController *_rootExplorer = nil;

and

_rootExplorer = self;            
NSAssert(_rootExplorer == self, @"????");

which works.

In dealloc, I try to do this

bool b = _rootExplorer == self;

which is false, but the debugger clearly states both objects are the same and have the same physical address.

When I do

long n = (long) (_rootExplorer);
long n2 = (long) (self);

I get a very large number for n2 and zero for n. But _rootExplorer is not nil. However, if I do the same thing in other functions that is not dealloc, n and n2 are identical.

What’s wrong with my code? I’m trying to keep a weak reference to one of the navigation controllers in the stack, and during unwinding, I need to release resources but only the referenced controller is allowed to do it.

Answer 1

Apple’s ARC documentation says, “A weak reference is set to nil when there are no strong references to the object.” So, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your code (…other than, in some sense, its location being after ARC has done its work).