Is it possible to declare an Objective-C method outside a class? - objective-c

Question

I know that you can declare a C function outside of a class, but is it possible to declare a Objective-C method outside of a class?
Example:
// Works
void printHelloC()
{
NSLog(#"Hello.");
}
// Error
-(void) printHelloOC
{
NSLog(#"Hello.");
}
int main (int argc, const char * argv[])
{
#autoreleasepool {
printHelloC();
[self printHelloOC];// 'self' obviously would not work but you get the idea
}
return 0;
}

Answer 1

It depends. You can do something similar with method adding at runtime:
#import <objc/runtime.h>
void myCustomMethod(id self, SEL _cmd, id arg1, id arg2)
{
NSLog(#"This is a test, arg1: %#, arg2: %#", arg1, arg2);
}
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
Class NSObjClass = [NSObject class];
class_addMethod(NSObjClass, #selector(myNewMethod::), (IMP) myCustomMethod, "v#:##");
NSObject myObject = [NSObject new];
[myObject myNewMethod:#"Hi" :#"There"];
[myObject release];
return 0;
}
But that is about it outside of a #class construct, and it really just covers up what happens with a category.

Answer 2

You can use a category for this.
As an instance method:
#interface NSObject (MONStuff)
- (void)printHelloOC;
#end
#implementation NSObject (MONStuff)
- (void)printHelloOC
{
NSLog(#"Hello.");
}
#end
// in use:
NSObject * obj = ...;
[obj printHelloOC];
As a Class method:
#interface NSObject (MONStuff)
+ (void)printHelloOC;
#end
#implementation NSObject (MONStuff)
+ (void)printHelloOC
{
NSLog(#"Hello.");
}
#end
// in use:
[NSObject printHelloOC];
Of course, you must associate that with a class - so it's not exactly the same as you posted, but it's a close definition + declaration separate from the formal class declaration.

Answer 3

A method without an associated class is a meaningless concept. Functions, as you've noted, are just fine.

Answer 4

No, it is not possible - you will need to either use global C functions or class (+) methods.

Answer 5

Objective c functions are always associated with a class. If you mean you want to use an objective-c function without instantiating a class, you can of course write a class method (notice the plus sign instead of the usual hyphen)
#interface Test
+ (void)aClassMethod;
#end
then you can call it by calling
[Test aClassMethod];