macOS Is there any similiar to a private method in Objective-C?

Just declare helper: in the .m file before @implementation, like so:


Then you can call it all you want but only the code in your .m can see it.

Nice tip, I didn't realise you could do that.

Note that unlike Java this doesn't actually prevent other objects accessing these methods. You'll get the normal warning about methods not existing when you compile, but it'll work at runtime.

robbieduncan said:

Note that unlike Java this doesn't actually prevent other objects accessing these methods. You'll get the normal warning about methods not existing when you compile, but it'll work at runtime.

Click to expand...

Yes, the problem is that the Obj-C runtime doesn't offer the protections during execution, as it doesn't know what is private and what isn't when it comes to methods.

But, for the sake of most development, the distinction of public/private isn't to actually protect code, but act as enforcement for good code policy, and help make it clear what can and shouldn't be used in APIs. Categories are sufficient for this purpose.