Create Category Getting Error "cannot define category for Undefined class"

Question

I am facing a problem when i try to create 2 category of my OWN Simple Class ( Class name is Car). I created 2 Category for this class just for testing " Car+show.h" & "Car+Protected.h". I Just write very small methods in to all like NSLog something sting.

My Problem is that when i build application I am getting error into Category File " Can not define Category for Undefined Class Car". Please Suggest me where i am Wrong.

Answer 1

I have solved my problem luck by chance. I really don't know actual fact about that. The point is that when i import that category files into Car.h file that time it's create error which i shared with you. But when i Import that same file only and only Car.m file it's work fine.

I really don't know why it's create error when i import that category files into .h file. Please explain why it's getting error?

Thanks Mukesh

Answer 2

If you import the category header files into Car.h, and your category header files themselves import Car.h, then you have a circular import which is causing you your problems.

Categories are for adding functionality to a class or splitting an interface out across several headers. If you are importing your category headers into your main class header, this is defeating the point.

The category headers should only be included by files that need to use functionality defined in the category.