Why do @synthesize variable names begin with an _?

Posted by mcjoejoe0911 on Stack Overflow See other posts from Stack Overflow or by mcjoejoe0911
Published on 2013-07-03T05:02:22Z Indexed on 2013/07/03 5:05 UTC
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objective-c

I'm just starting to use Objective-C and I need to clarify something

When I @synthesize a @property, it is common convention to do the following:

@interface Class : ParentClass

@property propertyName

@end

@implementation

@synthesize propertyName = _propertyName;

@end

I've seen plenty of questions and answers suggesting that "_propertyName" is widely accepted as the "correct" way to synthesize properties. However, does it serve ANY purpose? Or is it merely to increase readability and identify instance variables?

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