Objective C: use instance class in other class - objective-c

Question

In my code, in an class I have an ivar
FirstClass *first;
and I can use first within an instance of this class.
But if I want to access first from another object instance (or even another class), how can I do that?

Answer 1

I assume you're talking about using FirstClass in another source file than its own, right?
In this case you'd have to import its header by adding this to the top of your second class' ".m"-file:
#import "FirstClass.h"
If you also need to reference in your second class' header ".h"-file, then you can add a
#class FirstClass;
before the #interface block. This will tell the compiler that it should consider a class of that name to be existant, but to not bother you with warnings unless you forget to import the given first class' ".h" file in the second class' ".m" file.
To allow access from foreign objects to your SecondClass' firstClass iVar you'll need to implement a getter method for firstClass.
This is done with
#property (nonatomic, readwrite, retain) FirstClass *firstClass;
in the #interface block, and
#synthesize firstClass;
in the #implementation block.
With this set up you can then either call [secondClassInstance firstClass]; or access it via the dot syntax secondClassInstance.firstClass;.
My sample will also synthesize a setter method called setFirstClass:. To make the property read-only, change readwrite to readonly in the #property declaration.
Sample:
FirstClass.h:
#import <Cocoa/Cocoa.h>
#interface FirstClass : NSObject {
#private
}
//method declarations
#end
FirstClass.m:
#import "FirstClass.h"
#implementation FirstClass
//method implementations
#end
SecondClass.h:
#import <Cocoa/Cocoa.h>
#class FirstClass;
#interface SecondClass : NSObject {
#private
FirstClass *firstClass;
}
#property (nonatomic, readwrite, retain) FirstClass *firstClass;
//method declarations
#end
SecondClass.m:
#import "SecondClass.h"
#import "FirstClass.h"
#implementation SecondClass
#synthesize firstClass;
- (id)init {
if ((self = [super init]) != nil) {
firstClass = [FirstClass alloc] init];
}
return self;
}
- (void)dealloc {
[firstClass release];
[super dealloc];
}
//method implementations
#end

Answer 2

I would use a property. Probably in your header of your second class something like
#property (nonatomic, retain) FirstClass *first;
and in your implementation
#synthesize first;
Than when you create an object of your SecondClass
SecondClass *second = [[SecondClass alloc] init];
you can use
second.first