How do you handle memory management of outlets in the iPhone SDK

Question

Since KVC is used to set outlets on the iPhone, there are 2 methods (that I know of) to make sure you've properly handled memory management.

Specifically, I am referring to this article written by Aaron Hillegass.

My question is which method do you use and what is your reasoning?

• Release all your outlets in dealloc and viewDidUnload (Make sure you set them to nil in viewDidUnload.)
• Make your outlets weak references

Personally, I am leaning towards using weak references as it seems cleaner.

Answer 1

I go with weak references. As you say its less cluttered and makes an already overly verbose code foorprint a little more manageable

Answer 2

Weak references are easier, yes. Clearer? A retain property as just as clear, and you can be more explicit about when something is released.

Personally I like to primarily use properties to expose some attribute of the class to the outside world - so for IBOutlets only the class will manipulate, I simply declare them without using properties and release them in dealloc.

In either case set to nil IBOutlet references in viewDidUnload.