How to allocate memory for array in function and then return a pointer to it in Objective-C?

Question

I have a function which transforms a std::vector into NSMutableArray. I have handled all the bridging actions, but there is one thing which I am not able to do. I want to make an NSMutableArray in that function, then copy the vector elements in that array, and then return pointer to it's beginning. In C++ I would simply allocate some necessary memory, use it and return the pointer to it's beginning, how to do the same for Objective-C ?

maybe this will help you http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1150650/is-it-ok-to-use-classic-malloc-free-in-objective-c-iphone-apps — Alexander Dalshov, Jul 09 '15 at 17:23

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 09 '15 at 17:37

Once you've created the NSMutableArray, you just return it. The thing you're returning is a pointer. You "allocated some necessary memory" when you called [NSMutableArray alloc] (either directly or indirectly).

Remember that NSArray is not guaranteed to by contiguous memory, so "a pointer to its beginning" isn't really meaningful. You want a pointer to the object, and that's exactly what you have. Just return it.

How to allocate memory for array in function and then return a pointer to it in Objective-C?

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