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# class

Returns the class object.

```
+ (Class) class;
```

## Return Value

The class object.

## Discussion

Refer to a class only by its name when it is the receiver of a message. In all other cases, the class object must be obtained through this or a similar method. For example, here `SomeClass` is passed as an argument to the [`isKind(of:)`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObjectProtocol/isKind(of:)) method (declared in the `NSObject` protocol):

```objc
BOOL test = [self isKindOfClass:[SomeClass class]];
```

## See Also

  <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Foundation/NSStringFromClass(_:)>

[`- (Class) class;`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObject-c.protocol/class)

Returns the class object for the receiver’s class.

  <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Foundation/NSClassFromString(_:)>


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