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iOS Build a Simple iPhone App with Objective-C Creating a Data Model Finishing Up Our Model

self.funFactLable.text= self.factBook.randomFact; vs self.funFactLable.text= [self.factBook randomFact]; @7:06

Im assuming that self.funFactLable.text= [self.factBook randomFact]; is just the objective-c way to do things but I like the dot notation feel of self.funFactLable.text= self.factBook.randomFact;

I found an interesting debate here: http://qualitycoding.org/dot-notation/

It seems to get mixed reviews and clearly the video used: [self.factBook randomFact]; So moving forward should I just abandon my love of dot notation in objective-c land or is this just a case of whats your favorite ice cream flavor?

*I try to guess before he codes things thats how this question came about if anyone even cares lol

1 Answer

Michael Hulet
Michael Hulet
47,912 Points

I share your love of dot notation, but in Objective-C, I only use dot notation whenever the value I'm trying to access is a @property of its associated class. For example:

@interface FactBook : NSObject
//In my opinion, this should be accessed with dot syntax
@property (strong, nonatomic) NSString *topFact;
//In my opinion, this should never be accessed with dot syntax
-(NSString *)randomfact;
@end

I believe that's what dot notation was introduced to do, so that is what I use it for

you are wise beyond your years young Obi-Wan Kenobi