Question

I still cannot understand what does it mean to return an object in a method. What would its value mean?

If I have something like this:

-(ClassName *) methodName: (int) arg {

return arg;

}

I can’t understand how an object can be returned through a method as the above. If someone can help me understand.

Thanks.

Answer 1

The above method returns a pointer to arg which is of type ClassName*.

I assume explaining the question would assume basic knowledge of how functions are called, how passed values are pushed on stack before function call and how return values is returned from a function.

In this specific case your arg variable is part of a class, meaning that it is stored in memory that is part of the object. When you return pointer to it you are pointing to a specific area of memory within the object.

Another option is to return copy of the value. It would mean make a copy and return it.

The difference is that if you return pointer to objects internal variable that object state could be modified from outside.

If you return copy that copy can be modified and the original object will not change.

Not sure if that helps, but you are asking about very basic software development topic which assumes some background knowledge.

Maybe specify what exactly you are looking for?