I tried this with storyboard with Xcode 7 GM Seed:
import UIKit
public class C {
let _secret = arc4random_uniform(1000)
private func secret() -> String {
return "\(_secret) is a secret"
}
}
let c1 = C()
c1.secret()
This compiled and gave me the "secret". So this upsets my understanding of access control for Swift class and object. Why is this happening?
In Swift private means accessible only within the same source file which is what you're doing. If the code in your question was contained in a file C.swift and you would try to access the secret method from another Swift file you would get a compile-time error.
You can read more about the different access modifiers in the official documentation.
Swift 4 Updated answer:
There are two different access controls: fileprivate and private.
fileprivate can be accessed from their entire files.
private can only be accessed from their single declaration and extensions.
For example:
// Declaring "A" class that has the two types of "private" and "fileprivate":
class A {
private var aPrivate: String?
fileprivate var aFileprivate: String?
func accessMySelf() {
// this works fine
self.aPrivate = ""
self.aFileprivate = ""
}
}
// Declaring "B" for checking the abiltiy of accessing "A" class:
class B {
func accessA() {
// create an instance of "A" class
let aObject = A()
// Error! this is NOT accessable...
aObject.aPrivate = "I CANNOT set a value for it!"
// this works fine
aObject.aFileprivate = "I CAN set a value for it!"
}
}
For more information, check Access Control Apple's documentation, Also you could check this answer.
Related
It would be nice to be able to use something similar to "self" as an alias to access the enclosing Struct or Class's static variables. Does swift have an alias to do this?
For example:
struct MyStruct {
static let variable = "Hello"
func accessVariable() {
MyStruct.variable // This works
self.variable // I'd like to be able to do this.
}
}
Or class:
class MyClass {
static let variable = "Hello"
func accessVariable() {
MyClass.variable // This works
self.variable // I'd like to be able to do this.
class.variable // Or this would be nice too!
}
}
There are three ways:
MyStruct.variable
type(of:self).variable
Self.variable
The Self keyword is a relatively recent Swift innovation, and is probably your preferred choice here. The advantage of type(of:) and Self over just saying the name is that they are polymorphic.
This question already has an answer here:
In Swift 3, is there a difference between 'private class Foo' and 'fileprivate class Foo' in regards to member variables?
(1 answer)
Closed 2 years ago.
As the sample code here, what's the difference of private and fileprivate class in the same file in Swift?
// ViewController.swift
private class A {
var name: String = ""
let d = B.D()
}
fileprivate class B {
var name: String = ""
private let c = C()
private class C {
var number: String = ""
}
fileprivate let d = D()
fileprivate class D {
var number: String = ""
}
}
Since class A and B are in the sample file, A can't be any more private then B, right?
Sorry this is a very picky question, but I just want to confirm it.
Access modifiers in swift have been charged a few times during the past few releases.
For now, let me suggest a code sample instead of explanation first:
All code in one file:
fileprivate class Foo {
private var someVariablePrivate: Int?
fileprivate var someVariableFileprivate: Int?
private func makeBar() { }
fileprivate func makeFoo() { }
}
extension Foo {
func bar() {
let value = someVariablePrivate // OK
let value2 = someVariableFileprivate // OK
}
}
private class Foofoo: Foo {
override func makeFoo() {
// OK
}
override func makeBar() {
// NOK, because private
}
}
class Bar {
func foo() {
let object = Foo()
let value = object.someVariableFileprivate // OK
let value2 = object.someVariablePrivate // NOK - because it private to that class
}
}
Previously, private restrict access only to type definition, but within few lates version of Swift, it has been modified and updated, so even extension of same type can use private variables
As Apple mention:
File-private access restricts the use of an entity to its own defining
source file. Use file-private access to hide the implementation
details of a specific piece of functionality when those details are
used within an entire file.
Private access restricts the use of an entity to the enclosing
declaration, and to extensions of that declaration that are in the
same file. Use private access to hide the implementation details of a
specific piece of functionality when those details are used only
within a single declaration.
we could compare a bit this modifiers:
why do we ned both of them:
You may, however, want to mark some parts of your code as file private
or private in order to hide their implementation details from other
code within the app’s module.
When to use fileprivate
Although the keywords are almost the same, there is a clear difference in their use cases. Fileprivate access restricts the use of an entity within the same defined source file. The only reason you would use fileprivate is when you want to access your code within the same file from different classes or structs.
When to use private
The private keyword is used a lot more and restricts the use of an entity to the enclosing declaration and its extensions. The extensions, however, have to be defined within the same file. In other words, private declarations will not be visible outside the file. You can use this keyword to only expose the minimal code needed to interact with the entity. This will improve readability and makes it easier to use and understand your code for others.
your question: Since class A and B are in the sample file, A can't be any more private then B, right?
In case of class A with private access specifier it won't be accessible outside it's declared scope.
In case of class B it will be accessible to the class A but it's private properties won't be accessible in class A
For more information, you can refer to this interesting article:
https://www.avanderlee.com/swift/fileprivate-private-differences-explained/#when-to-use-private
The project needs a big Dictionary, so I place it in anohher swift file that makes the codes look clean. But I got a "Expected declaration" error.
class AA{
var a:Dictionary<String,Array<String>> = [:]
a["a"] = ["aa", "aaa"] // error: Expected declaration
...
...
}
and I want to get it like this:
let aa = AA.a
By now, I have to add it in a func to get it.
class AA{
func getVar()->Dictionary<String,Array<String>>{
var a:Dictionary<String,Array<String>> = [:]
a["a"] = ["aa", "aaa"]
a["b"] = ["bb", "bbb"]
return a
}
}
Any simple way to solve this?
#dasblinkenlight your suggestion is get variable from another viewController, it's a little difference from mine.
The problem is not that you have a dictionary in another file, but that you have assignments outside of a method.
Replacing assignments with a declaration will fix this problem:
class AA {
static let a = [
"a" : ["aa", "aaa"]
, "b" : ["bb", "bbb", "bbbb"]
, "c" : ["cc"]
]
}
Now you can use AA.a in other classes.
As per my understanding , You can't access local variables from another class, You can access it in only of that class method only.
Accessing var from another class,
var someVariable: Type = xValue
Now create object of that class where you have declared variable & access it like,
var getThatValue = yourViewControllerObject.someVariable
Access var with in the same class,
self.yourVar
Or,
static let yourProperty = 0
ClassName.yourProperty // & for swift 3 it would be type(of: self).yourProperty
This interesting topic is discussed nicely in the following links,
Access variable in different class - Swift
Access static variables within class in Swift
In your case i think you have to declare var as a static out of method scope
This article has been helpful in understanding the new access specifiers in Swift 3. It also gives some examples of different usages of fileprivate and private.
My question is - isn't using fileprivate on a function that is going to be used only in this file the same as using private?
fileprivate is now what private used to be in earlier
Swift releases: accessible from
the same source file. A declaration marked as private can now only be accessed within the lexical scope it is declared in.
So private is more restrictive than fileprivate.
As of Swift 4, private declarations inside a type are accessible to extensions of the same type if the extension is defined in the same source file.
Example (all in one source file):
class A {
private func foo() {}
fileprivate func bar() {}
func baz() {
foo()
bar()
}
}
extension A {
func test() {
foo() // Swift 3: error: use of unresolved identifier 'foo'
// Swift 4: no error because extension is in same source file
bar()
}
}
let a = A()
a.foo() // error: 'foo' is inaccessible due to 'private' protection level
a.bar()
The private foo method is accessible only within the scope of
the class A { ... } definition. It is not even accessible from
an extension to the type (in Swift 3, see the second note below for
changes in Swift 4).
The file-private bar method is accessible from the same source file.
Notes:
The proposal SE-0159 – Fix Private Access Levels suggested to revert to the Swift 2 semantics in Swift 4. After a lengthy and controversial discussion on the swift-evolution mailing list, the proposal was rejected.
The proposal SE-0169 – Improve Interaction Between private Declarations and Extensions suggests to make private
declarations inside a type accessible to extensions of the same type
if the extension is defined in the same source file.
This proposal was accepted and implemented in Swift 4.
I just draw a diagram about private, fileprivate, open and public
Hope it can quickly help you , for text description please refer to Martin R 's answer
[ Update Swift 4, 5 ]
Updated for Swift 5
Private vs FilePrivate
For better clarity paste the code snippet in Playground
class Sum1 {
let a: Int!
let b: Int!
private var result: Int?
fileprivate var resultt: Int?
init(a : Int, b: Int) {
self.a = a
self.b = b
}
func sum(){
result = a + b
print(result as! Int)
}
}
let aObj = Sum1.init(a: 10, b: 20)
aObj.sum()
aObj.resultt //File Private Accessible as inside same swift file
aObj.result //Private varaible will not be accessible outside its definition except extensions
extension Sum1{
func testing() {
// Both private and fileprivate accessible in extensions
print(result)
print(resultt)
}
}
//If SUM2 class is created in same file as Sum1 ---
class Sum2{
func test(){
let aSum1 = Sum1.init(a: 2, b: 2)
// Only file private accessible
aSum1.resultt
}
}
Note: Outside of Swift file both private and fileprivate are not accessible.
A practical rule of thumb is that you use private for variables, constants, inner structs and classes that are used only inside the declaration of your class / struct. You use fileprivate for things that are used inside of your extensions within the same file as your class/struct but outside of their defining curly braces (ie. their lexical scope).
class ViewController: UIViewController {
#IBOutlet var tableView: UITableView!
//This is not used outside of class Viewcontroller
private var titleText = "Demo"
//This gets used in the extension
fileprivate var list = [String]()
override func viewDidLoad() {
navigationItem.title = titleText
}
}
extension ViewController: UITableViewDataSource {
func numberOfSections(in tableView: UITableView) -> Int {
return list.count
}
}
In Swift 4.0, Private is now accessible in extension but within same file. If you declare/define extension in other file, then your private variable will not be accessible to your extension**
File Private
File-private access restricts the use of an entity to its own defining source file. Use file-private access to hide the implementation details of a specific piece of functionality when those details are used within an entire file.
Syntax: fileprivate <var type> <variable name>
Example: fileprivate class SomeFilePrivateClass {}
Private
Private access restricts the use of an entity to the enclosing declaration, and to extensions of that declaration that are in the same file. Use private access to hide the implementation details of a specific piece of functionality when those details are used only within a single declaration.
Syntax: private <var type> <variable name>
Example: private class SomePrivateClass {}
Here is more detail about all access levels: Swift - Access Levels
Look at this images:
File: ViewController.swift
Here extension and view controller both are in same file, hence private variable testPrivateAccessLevel is accessible in extension
File: TestFile.swift
Here extension and view controller both are in different files, hence private variable testPrivateAccessLevel is not accessible in extension.
Here class ViewController2 is a subclass of ViewController and both are in same file. Here private variable testPrivateAccessLevel is not accessible in Subclass but fileprivate is accessible in subclass.
Although #MartinR's and #StephenChen's answer are perfect, Swift 4 changes things a little bit.
Private is now considered as private to a class in which it is declared and also to its extensions.
FilePrivate is considered to be private in that file be it a class in which the variable is defined, it's extension, or any other classes defined in that same file.
filePrivate - access controll level is within the file.
case 1: If we create extension with in same class file and try to access fileprivate function or fileprivate property in its extension - access allowed
case 2: If we create a extension of class in new file - And now try to access fileprivate function or fileprivate property - access not allowed
private - access control level is with in lexical scope
case 1: If property or function is declared as private in class - then scope is by default the class.
case 2: if private instance is declared with in function body - then scope of instance is limited to function body.
This is the explanation for swift 4. For swift 3, the difference is the private. swift 3 private cannot be accessed by its extension, only Class A itself can access.
After swift 4, fileprivate becomes a bit redundant, because person normally will not define the subclass in the same file. Private should be enough for most cases.
In the following example, language constructs modified by private and fileprivate seem to behave identically:
fileprivate func fact(_ n: Int) -> Int {
if (n == 0) {
return 1
} else {
return n * fact(n - 1)
}
}
private func gauss(_ n: Int) -> Int {
if (n == 0) {
return 0
} else {
return n + gauss(n - 1)
}
}
print(fact(0))
print(fact(5))
print(fact(3))
print(gauss(10))
print(gauss(9))
This is according to intuition, I guess. But, is there any exception?
Kindest regards.
class Privacy {
fileprivate(set) var pu:Int {
get {
return self.pr
}
set {
self.pr = newValue
}
}
private var pr:Int = 0
fileprivate var fp:Int = 0
func ex() {
print("\(self.pu) == \(self.pr) and not \(self.fp)")
}
}
extension Privacy {
func ex2() {
self.pu = 5
self.ex()
}
}
I like this because it is super simple for ivars.
Try changing fileprivate to private (and vice versa) and see what happens on compile...
This was done in Playground, just to simplify.
class MyPrivateVar
{
private var priv: String?
}
var myInstance = MyPrivateVar()
myInstance.priv = "Something"
No compiler warning. In fact auto-complete is showing priv without a problem.
My understanding is that outside the boundaries of {} of the class, I'm not supposed to be able to see a private anything, func nor var.
Am I missing something?
Access modifiers in Swift are implemented differently than other languages. There are three levels:
private: accessible only within that particular file
internal: accessible only within the module (project)
public: accessible from anywhere
Unless marked otherwise, everything you write is internal by default.
The Swift blog had a post about access control when the features were introduced in beta 4, and Apple's documentation has a chapter as well.
Note: this answer is for Swift 2
The Swift Programming Language states:
Swift provides three different access levels for entities within your
code. These access levels are relative to the source file in which an
entity is defined, and also relative to the module that source file
belongs to.
If you wan't to test private access level with Swift, the following step by step may help you.
1/ Create a new Xcode project.
2/ Create a file, MyPrivateVar.swift, and add the following code in it:
class MyPrivateVar {
private var priv: String? = nil
}
3/ Create a second file, MySecondClass.swift, and add the following code in it:
class MySecondClass {
init() {
var myPrivateVar = MyPrivateVar()
myPrivateVar.priv = "some string"
}
}
Xcode will immediatly give you a Swift compiler error message:
'MyPrivateVar' does not have a member named 'priv'
4/ Now, remove the two previous files from your project and create a single file TwoClassesInAFile.swift with the following code in it:
class MyPrivateVar {
private var priv : String? = nil
}
class MySecondClass {
init() {
var myPrivateVar = MyPrivateVar()
myPrivateVar.priv = "some string"
}
}
This time, you will get no Swift compiler error message and you will be able to access MyPrivateVar's priv private property from MySecondClass because priv and MySecondClass are in the same file (your TwoClassesInAFile.swift file).
Furthermore, access levels also work for global variables. For example, Xcode won't give any compiler error if the following code is part of the same ViewController.swift file:
import UIKit
private var globalPrivate : String? = nil
class ViewController: UIViewController {
override func viewDidLoad() {
super.viewDidLoad()
globalPrivate = "some string"
println(globalPrivate)
}
override func didReceiveMemoryWarning() {
super.didReceiveMemoryWarning()
}
}
However, if you define globalPrivate outside of ViewController.swift, Xcode will generate an error message:
Use of unresolved identifier 'globalPrivate'