kCFTypeArray

kCFTypeArray is a Core Foundation type that represents an immutable array of Core Foundation objects. It is defined in the Core Foundation framework and is a fundamental data structure for managing collections of objects within Apple's operating systems. Unlike mutable arrays, kCFTypeArray cannot be modified after creation. Its elements must be valid Core Foundation objects, which can include types like CFString, CFNumber, CFDate, and even other CFArray instances.

When creating a kCFTypeArray, you typically provide an array of CFTypeRef pointers, which are then converted into the array structure. The framework manages the memory for the array and its contained objects. Key operations for kCFTypeArray include retrieving the number of elements it contains and accessing individual elements by their index. Because it is immutable, kCFTypeArray offers thread-safe access, making it suitable for scenarios where multiple threads might need to read from the same collection concurrently without the risk of modification.

The immutability of kCFTypeArray simplifies memory management and reasoning about program state. It is often used when a collection of objects is known to remain constant throughout a certain scope or operation. When interacting with Objective-C code, kCFTypeArray can be bridged to its Objective-C counterpart, NSArray, using automatic reference counting (ARC) or manual memory management. This interoperability allows seamless integration between Core Foundation and Objective-C codebases.