Obj-C: Typedefs across classes?

Question

I want to typedef an enum that is common across several classes. I could:

• 1 Make the typedef in a class that the others inherit from directly

• 2 Typedef the enum for each of the classes.

• 3 Create a category for NSObject and typedef the enum there.

Whilst the first option requires no repetition -- and I think this is the best of the three -- it just feels wrong creating a whole new class just for just one enum. Is this anti-pattern? Is there a better way?

Answer 1

Usually done like this:

#ifndef SomeEnum_enum
#define SomeEnum_enum

typedef enum {
    SomeEnumOne,
    SomeEnumTwo,
    SomeEnumThree
} SomeEnum;

#endif

You have to put your enum in your .h file, it can be one of a class, a separate file just for enums, a category, it really doesn't matter.

Now you can put it wherever you want, you just have to include the .h file