Releasing @property(copy) instance variables?

Question

I am pretty sure I am doing this right, but just wanted to check. I have two instance variables that have accessors created via @property. In my dealloc (for the same object) I am releasing these objects.

@property(copy) NSString *firName;
@property(copy) NSString *surName;

-(void)dealloc {
    NSLog(@"_deal: %@", self);
    [firName release];
    [surName release];
    [super dealloc];
}

gary

Answer 1

Looks right. I'd usually use nonatomic, retain with NSString properties though...

EDIT: copy it is.

Answer 2

Yes, that's correct.

The implementation of the property will call release on the previous value before copying the new value, so the only memory management you have to worry about is releasing in the dealloc method, which you're doing.

Answer 3

That's correct. Remember the memory ownership policy. Since you're using copy, you gain ownership of the object as you would if you used retain, so you release when done.