CFArrayCreate

CFArrayCreate is a function in the Core Foundation framework of Apple's operating systems, including macOS and iOS. Its primary purpose is to create an immutable array. An immutable array, once created, cannot be modified. This means you cannot add, remove, or change elements within the array after its initial creation.

The function takes several arguments: an allocator to manage memory, a list of C-style pointers to the objects that will populate the array, the number of objects in the list, and a context for callbacks if the array needs to be retained or released. The objects added to the array are typically Core Foundation objects or objects bridged to Core Foundation, such as NSString or NSNumber.

CFArrayCreate is often used when you need a fixed collection of data that will not change during the execution of your program. This immutability can contribute to program stability and safety, as it prevents accidental modification of data. When you no longer need the array, you are responsible for releasing the memory it occupies using a function like CFRelease. The creation of an array using CFArrayCreate increments the reference count of the objects it contains, and releasing the array does not release the objects themselves unless they were specifically configured to be released by the array's context.