In objective-c, I have a utility class with a bunch of static methods that I call for various tasks. As an example, I have one method that returns an NSArray that I allocate in the static method. If I set the NSArray to autorelease, then some time later, the NSArray in my calling method (that is assigned to the returned pointer) losses it's reference because the original form the static method is cleaned up. I can't release the NSArray object in the static method because it needs to be around for the return and assignment.

What is the right way to return an object (like the NSArray) from a static class, and have it hang around for the calling class, but then get cleaned up later when it is no longer needed?

Do I have to create the object first in the caller and pass in a pointer to the object and then return that same object form the static method?

I know this is a basic O-O problem, I just never had this issue in Java and I do not do much C/C++.

Thanks for your help.