self accessor gotcha

gistfile1.m

@interface AppDelegate : NSObject <NSApplicationDelegate> {
    NSMutableString *retainedProperty; //explicitly declaring ivar backing is only required for the 32 bit runtime, is automatically added by the compiler for 64 bit
}

@property (retain) NSMutableString *retainedProperty;

@end


@implementation AppDelegate

@synthesize retainedProperty;

-(void)awakeFromNib
{
    int testCase = 0;
    
    if (testCase == 0){
        //retainedProperty is null
    }else if (testCase == 1){
        retainedProperty = [NSMutableString stringWithString:@"foo"]; 	     //sets the ivar, unretained        
    }else if (testCase == 2){
        self.retainedProperty = [NSMutableString stringWithString:@"foo"];   //sets the property, retained, equivalent with   [self setRetainedProperty:[NSMutableString stringWithString:@"foo"]];        
    }       

    NSLog(@"%@",retainedProperty);  //in the same scope, case 0: null, case 1: foo, case 2: foo   
}

- (void)applicationDidFinishLaunching:(NSNotification *)aNotification
{
    NSLog(@"%@",retainedProperty); //in the same scope, case 0: null, case 1: [random object/crash], case 2: foo 
}

@end