Question

In iOS development, is it possible to use NSString and return it from a function?

e.g.

(NSString * ) foo {
  return @"";

} 

This is not an objective c method, just function

Answer 1

Yes, seeing as objective-c objects are just pointers, you can create a C function to return one:

NS_RETURNS_RETAINED NSString *myFunction() {
    return [[NSString alloc] init];
}

Notice the use of NS_RETURNS_RETAINED. This is a hint to ARC and the static analyzer that this function returns a retained value to the receiver, and that it’s their responsibility to release it.

If you were returning an autoreleased value, try using NS_RETURNS_NOT_RETAINED instead.