Use return value as argument to method

Question

Is it possible to use the return value of a method as the argument for a different method invocation? I'm using Objective-C.

What I'm going for is something like this:

stringOutput = [object1 method1:[object2 method2:[object3 method3]]];

where method 3 returns a string that goes into method 2, which returns a string that goes into method 1, which returns a string that goes into stringOutput.

It doesn't make sense to me; it seems like you're not meaning 'argument' in a standard sort of way. Can you explain some more? — Carl Norum
– Carl Norum, Commented Jun 28, 2011 at 15:16
Short answer, no. An argument by definition, does not have arguments. You can chain methods though - something like [obj method: [myargissuppliedby anotherMethodArg]]; — Perception
– Perception, Commented Jun 28, 2011 at 15:17
Are you referring to a feature available in a different language? If so, what is it? — Deepak Danduprolu
– Deepak Danduprolu, Commented Jun 28, 2011 at 15:25
@Deepak: No, not that I'm sure of. Basically I want to do this: stringOutput = [class method:[class method:[class method]]]; — Baub
– Baub, Commented Jun 28, 2011 at 15:27

Nick Bull · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-28 15:14:54Z

4

Do you mean sending the result from one method as the parameter for another?

NSString *string = [self myMethod:[self myMethod2]];

Where the methods are

- (NSString *)myMethod2 { return @"A String"; } - (NSString *)myMethod:(NSString *)string { // Do something with string // Return another string return @"Something else"; }

answered Jun 28, 2011 at 15:14

Nick Bull

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4 Comments

Baub Over a year ago

This! Parameter was the word I was looking for, not argument. But could you embed that again? As in -(NSString *)myMethod:[NSString(myMethod2):NSString(myMethodOfMyMethod2)]

Luke Over a year ago

You're not making much sense - what is the syntax you're aiming for in this comment?

Sherm Pendley Over a year ago

@James - The words "parameter" and "argument" are synonymous in this context.

Carl Norum Over a year ago

@James, @Sherm - "parameter" and "argument" are never synonymous. Methods have parameters; when invoking a method, the caller must provide an argument for each parameter of that method. Nick's answer is correct - it's a fundamental part of the language. You're doing it all the time already probably - [[MyClass alloc] init] is probably the most common example.

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