Question

What’s does it mean to declare IBOutlet in @interface vs not? In a simple test, the assignment works in either case.

@interface MyViewController : UIViewController <UITextFieldDelegate> {

    IBOutlet UITextField *textField;
    IBOutlet UILabel *label;
    NSString *string;
    /*IBOutlet*/ UILabel *total;//What does it mean to declare IBOutlet here?
}

@property (nonatomic, retain) IBOutlet UILabel *total;

.h

@synthesize total;
total.text = @"23";

Answer 1

It means that the ivar will be an IBOutlet. Just like your current property is an IBOutlet.

You’re making a bigger mistake in naming your ivar and property the same thing.

total.text and self.total.text in your file are not the same thing.