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iOS Intermediate Swift 2 Value Semantics, Type Methods and Inheritance Type Methods

Paul M
Paul M
16,370 Points
Posted by Paul M
Paul M
16,370 Points

What does "static" mean in Swift?

In the code he worked on, he added static before a constant and a function. But what does it really do, and what are the benefits and downsides of using static?

2 Answers

Chase Marchione
Chase Marchione
155,055 Points
Chase Marchione
Chase Marchione
155,055 Points

Hi Paul,

The static keyword is used to indicate that a method is a type method. Type methods contrast with instance methods, in that:

  • Instance methods are called on an individual instance of one unique/chosen type.
  • Type methods are called on the actual type, in and of itself.

Additional notes:

  • Subclasses can override class methods; however, they cannot override static methods.
  • Concerning constants: similarly, static constants should not be overridden, as opposed to non-static constants.

A page that may prove useful: http://sketchytech.blogspot.com/2014/09/swift-rules-of-being-static-xcode-6-gm.html.

Hope this helps!

Chyngyzkan Samatov
Chyngyzkan Samatov
1,731 Points
Chyngyzkan Samatov
Chyngyzkan Samatov
1,731 Points

thanks a lot