Question

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Real world examples of @optional protocol methods

Recently I started getting my head around objective C. So far I have started writing simple codes which all newbie does to understand how programming model works. However, When I started learning about protocol I suddenly got confused.I am basically from java background, So I was thinking **protocol must be similar as Interface.

So the question about protocol is,

Why a protocol needs a optional functions? like code below,

@protocol DuckProtocol
@required
-(void) quack;
@optional
-(void) fly; //Not all ducks can fly
@end

Above code didn’t helped me to understand, The purpose of having protocol(interface in java) is to constraint programmer to make sure they have all listed method implemented inside the class which implements this protocol. Than why we need @optional?

If any one have ever used this, Could you please share your thoughts regarding how this paradigm helped you?

Thanks

Answer 1

My approach to @optional is that it allows guaranteed (but unnecessary) customization of object’s behavior. Consider UITableViewDataSource protocol. It has 11 methods although to make a functional table you need to implement only 2 of them. Other 9 methods are there just for table customization and Apple itself provides sensible defaults.