Return Assignment Question

[jonthornham]

I am going through Chapter 17 and watching the inheritance webcast and have a question.

Is the following:

Code: (Objective-C)

Fraction *myFrac = [[Fraction alloc] init];
Fraction *myFrac2;

[myFrac setTo:1 over: 8];

myFrac = myFrac2; //These reference the same place in memory.

equivalent to a returned Fraction? For example if a Fraction called answer from the Fraction add method is returned to result which is not allocated and initialized.

Since setting myFrac = myFrac2 does not increase the reference count a release of myFrac2 would release myFrac. I think this is the same for a returned Fraction I am just making sure.

Thanks,

Jon

[skochan]

Jon,

Yes, it's the same principle as the Program 7.5/7.6 discussion.  However, your assignment is reversed, and should be:

Code: (Objective-C)

myFrac2 = myFrac;        //These reference the same place in memory.

Cheers,

Steve Kochan

[jonthornham]

Thanks. That clear up a lot about return.

Take care,

Jon