Question

Tried finding the answer online, but couldn’t. So i’m wondering if anyone else knows and why?

Say I have an NSDictionary, or NSArray, that stores objects inside of them. If I release the NSDictionary, is there a potential leak because I didn’t release the objects inside of the NSDictionary list?

For example:

NSDictionary *dict = [NSDictionary alloc] init];
// Create a bunch of objects, NSStrings, etc.
// Store it into dict.
[dict release];

Will that also release everything inside of the dict? (objects, nsstrings, etc).
Thanks in advance people!

Answer 1

All items in an NSDictionary or NSArray are automatically retained when they’re added and released when removed, or when the list is destroyed.

For example:

NSMutableDictionary *dict = [[NSMutableDictionary alloc] init];

MyObject *obj = [[MyObject alloc] init];
[dict setObject:obj forKey:@"foo"];  // the dictionary retains "obj"
[obj release];  // this matches the "alloc/init"
                // but "obj" still is retained by the dictionary

[dict release];  // now "obj" gets released