Generic typeof for weak self references

Question

I am trying to figure out a way to use typeof to create a weak reference to self for use in blocks to avoid retain cycles.

When I first rea

Answer 1

In the latest clang version Apple clang version 4.0 (tags/Apple/clang-421.1.48) (based on LLVM 3.1svn), i.e. Xcode 4.4+, the __typeof__((__typeof__(self))self) trick is not necessary anymore. The __weak typeof(self) bself = self; line will compile just fine.

Answer 2

Generic Weakself Reference (No Import Required + Snippet)

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In my experience, the way to go is to use:

__typeof__(self) __weak weakSelf = self;

Note how the ownership qualifier belongs in front of the actual variable.

It's very apparent what's happening when it is used and it can be made into a handy code snippet in Xcode which makes it even easier to use in any project or class where this is needed. (I use "ws" as the snippet's completion shortcut)

Hmm.. I need a weak reference here..

ws{return}

Done. No need to ever include a header in future projects for this, just use the snippet.

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Xcode Snippet

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Title: Generic Weak Self Reference
Platform: All
Language: Objective-C
Completion Shortcut: ws
Completion Scopes: Function or Method
Code: __typeof__(self) __weak weakSelf = self;

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Edit: Added note about ownership qualifier position based on comments, and Xcode Snippet Info

Answer 3

This works!

__typeof__(o) __weak

Which I've defined in my BBlock project as BBlockWeakSelf which can be used like this:

BBlockWeakSelf wself = self;

https://github.com/kgn/BBlock/blob/master/BBlock.h

Edited based on Aleph7's response.

Answer 4

I have this macro

#define weaken(object) __typeof__(self) __weak weakSelf = object

And i use it like this

weaken(self);
//The block referencing weakSelf goes here