How to load a plist into an NSArray

test-plist-load.m

/* Original code:
NSNumber *object = [[NSNumber alloc] init]; 
for(int i=0; i<[array count]; i++) { 
  NSLog(@"Value of number loaded %@", [array objectAtIndex:i]); 
  object = [array objectAtIndex:i]; 
} 
*/

#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>

int main(void) {

    // using arrayWithContentsOfFile is the same but uses an autorelease.
    // If we instead use initWithContentsOfFile it provides us the control
    // to release immediately when we know were done (at the end of the
    // method) which saves the pool from having to do it. And it saves on
    // performance because were not trying to include this object in the
    // draining of the pool (costly).
    NSArray *array = [[NSArray alloc] initWithContentsOfFile:@"test.plist"];

    // This is the correct thing if your planning to use the object you just
    // allocated. Because not only is it a waste of time/resources to alloc an
    // object you'll never use and if it isn't released you just leaked!

    // NSNumber *object = [[NSNumber alloc] init]; // DONT DO THIS!!

    NSNumber *object = nil; // Do this instead.

    // initalizing a variable inside the 'for' decleration is not recommended.
    // It is not compatable with the default gcc and requires a newer option
    // (C99 mode) which is not fully supported in gcc. You can avoid the entire
    // problem and make neater code by seperating the two as so.
    int i;

    for (i = 0; i < [array count]; i++)
    { 
        // Why call two methods (each costs performance hits) to get the same
        // pointer back? Instead get it once and use it through out.
        object = [array objectAtIndex:i]; 

        NSLog(@"Value of number loaded %@; Variable Type:%@", object, [object class]); 
    } 

    [array release];
    return 0;
}

test.plist

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<array>
	<real>1.234</real>
	<real>5.678</real>
	<integer>10</integer>
</array>
</plist>