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fabianodesouza
2,204 PointsObjective C Function Syntax
I come from a C++ and C# background. Can someone break down the syntax of this function in this video:
- (NSInteger)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView numberOfRowsInSection:(NSInteger)section;
I understand it returns a NSInteger and takes another NSInteger as a parameter but I don't quite understand the tableView part of it: "tableView:(UITableView *)tableView" before the function name. it's not a return type so I find the placement of it weird. Does it have to do with inheritance? Can someone break down this syntax for me please. Thanks.
2 Answers
John Wheal
27,969 PointsIn C, the syntax would be:
NSInteger tableView(tableview, section);
Objective C adds more words than C. In the example below:
numberOfRowsInSection:(NSInteger)section;
- numberOfRowsInSection describes the input parameter to the method
- NSInteger is the type of input parameter
- section is the actual parameter
Although it looks long and complex it is actually much more readable the C.
fabianodesouza
2,204 PointsBy your C syntax example, you're indicating the name of the method is tableView. But I understand the name of the method is numberOfRowsInSection. I don't get it how there is a parameter before the method name i.e. tableview. What makes it special that it can go before instead of after the method name like I'm used to seeing in C? Thanks.