Extensions

Extensions allow you to add methods to existing types, to make them do things they weren’t originally designed to do.

For example, we could add an extension to the Int type so that it has a squared() method that returns the current number multiplied by itself:

extension Int {
    func squared() -> Int {
        return self * self
    }
}

To try that out, just create an integer and you’ll see it now has a squared() method:

let number = 8
number.squared()

Swift doesn’t let you add stored properties in extensions, so you must use computed properties instead. For example, we could add a new isEven computed property to integers that returns true if it holds an even number:

extension Int {
    var isEven: Bool {
        return self % 2 == 0
    }
}

SPONSORED Play is the first native iOS design tool created for designers and engineers. You can install Play for iOS and iPad today and sign up to check out the Beta of our macOS app with SwiftUI code export. We're also hiring engineers!

Click to learn more about Play!

Sponsor Hacking with Swift and reach the world's largest Swift community!