Objective-C class method: dot syntax and 'class property'

Question

While programming for iOS I encountered the following scenario:

I have a singleton class with a class method + (Store*)sharedStore. When I want to call an instance method on the singleton object, I can use dot syntax to get that object, i.e. [Store.sharedStore foo].

However, Xcode does not autocomplete 'sharedStore' after typing the dot. On the other hand, [[Store sharedStore] foo] is autocompleted!

Is there such a thing as 'class properties'? If I could turn sharedStore into a readonly property on the class, the dot syntax would gain autocompletion.

More generally speaking, Xcode simply does not autocomplete after dot syntax on anything that isn't a property, even though this is a valid way of calling a (getter) method.

Any solution, workaround, or information is appreciated.

Answer 1

Currently, as far as class getters go, it appears that we must either:

• use this syntax in the absence of autocompletion: Store.sharedStore; or
• use bracket syntax instead: [Store sharedStore].

I have not tried other editors recently (e.g. AppCode). Another editor might autocorrect the dot syntax on class getters.

Opinions vary as to what is correct, logical or readable.