Make variable names variables (Objective-c)

Question

I'd like to do something like this:

.h

LocalRoom* zone1;
LocalRoom* zone2;
LocalRoom* zone3;
LocalRoom* zone4;
etc....

.m

NSString *number = 1;
NSString *variable = [NSString stringWithFormat: @"zone%@", number]
[[variable variableValue] broadcastChatMessage:redStringPrefix fromUser:@"server"];

emulating:

[zone1 broadcastChatMessage:redStringPrefix fromUser:@"server"];

How do I do this? Is it possible?

Why don't you use an NSMutableDictionary if you need named values? — user529758
– user529758, Commented Dec 25, 2012 at 18:18
You could do what @AnoopVaidya is suggesting, but it isn't really practical or readable compared to just using a mutable dictionary. Associated objects would work, for example. — bbum
– bbum, Commented Dec 25, 2012 at 18:21
that is why my first reply was dict and second one obj-c runtime :) — Anoop Vaidya
– Anoop Vaidya, Commented Dec 25, 2012 at 18:22

Peter Hosey · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-26 04:28:43Z

6

Given names like “zone1”, “zone2”, etc., I would make an array rather than a dictionary. Either way, these should not be separate variables.

answered Dec 26, 2012 at 4:28

Peter Hosey

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vikingosegundo · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-25 18:39:59Z

3

 @property(strong) NSMutableDictionary *zones;

 -(id)init {
   ....
   _zones = [[NSMutableDictionary alloc] init];
   ....
 }

 aZone = [_zones objectForKey: [NSString stringWithFormat:@"zone%d", someZoneNumber]];

... etc ...

edited Dec 25, 2012 at 18:39

vikingosegundo

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answered Dec 25, 2012 at 18:24

bbum

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Comments

Nate Chandler · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-25 18:33:14Z

3

You can do something similar using Key-Value Coding. You would write

[[self valueForKey:variable] broadcastChatMessage:redStringPrefix fromUser:@"server"];

rather than

[[variable variableValue] broadcastChatMessage:redStringPrefix fromUser:@"server"];

This would of course require that zone1, zone2, etc. are instance variables (or properties) on self.

edited Dec 25, 2012 at 18:33

answered Dec 25, 2012 at 18:19

Nate Chandler

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1 Comment

bbum Over a year ago

This'll work, but I'd suggest against KVC vs. just using an NSMutableDictionary.

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