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# classNamed(_:)

Returns the `Class` object for the specified name.

```
func classNamed(_ className: String) -> AnyClass?
```

## Parameters

`className`

The name of a class.

## Return Value

The `Class` object for `className`. Returns `nil` if `className` is not one of the classes associated with the receiver or if there is an error loading the executable code containing the class implementation.

## Discussion

If the bundle’s executable code is not yet loaded, this method dynamically loads it into memory. Classes (and categories) are loaded from just one file within the bundle directory; this code file has the same name as the directory, but without the extension (”`.bundle`”, “`.app`”, “`.framework`”). As a side effect of code loading, the receiver posts [`didLoadNotification`](/documentation/Foundation/Bundle/didLoadNotification) after all classes and categories have been loaded; see `Notifications` for details.

## See Also

[`-  load`](/documentation/Foundation/Bundle/load())

Dynamically loads the bundle’s executable code into a running program, if the code has not already been loaded.


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