On Wed, Aug 27, 2008 at 11:45 AM, Memo Akten <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > HI All, i'm a bit confused about the 2 scenarios: > > NSDictionary *myData1 = [NSDictionary > dictionaryWithContentsOfFile:@"mydata.plist"]; // this one I don't > need to release when I'm done? > NSDictionary *myData2 = [[NSDictionary alloc] > initWithContentsOfFile:@"mydata.plist"]; // this one I do > need to relase when I'm done? > > There seems to be a lot of situations in Cocoa where this happens so I guess > this is a generic question for all cases when an object is created via means > of a static method vs using alloc:initWith... (e.g. NSArray, NSString, > NSNumber etc. are just a few I've seen). > > Whats the difference between the two methods? (I know the second one creates > a blank dictionary first, and then loads the file - but I mean which one is > better for what purpose? - why would I choose one over the other).
Use whichever is easiest. Generally if I'm looking for a temporary object, I'll use the autoreleased method if present. If I'm going to keep the object around, I'll use the alloc/init method. But either of these can be transformed to the other with a retain or autorelease message, so there's no huge difference. > And am I > correct in assuming if I use the first method i do not need to release the > variable when I'm done? but do need to release the variable in the second > instance? Correct. Review http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/MemoryMgmt/MemoryMgmt.html _______________________________________________ Cocoa-dev mailing list ([email protected]) Please do not post admin requests or moderator comments to the list. Contact the moderators at cocoa-dev-admins(at)lists.apple.com Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: http://lists.apple.com/mailman/options/cocoa-dev/archive%40mail-archive.com This email sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
