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# objc_msgSend_stret

Sends a message with a data-structure return value to an instance of a class.

```
extern void objc_msgSend_stret();
```

## Parameters:

- stretAddr: On input, a pointer that points to a block of memory large enough to contain the return value of the method. On output, contains the return value of the method.
- theReceiver: A pointer to the instance of the class that is to receive the message.
- theSelector: A pointer of type [`SEL`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/SEL). Pass the selector of the method that handles the message.
- …: A variable argument list containing the arguments to the method.

## Discussion

When it encounters a method call, the compiler generates a call to one of the functions `objc_msgSend`, `objc_msgSend_stret`, `objc_msgSendSuper`, or `objc_msgSendSuper_stret`. Messages sent to an object’s superclass (using the `super` keyword) are sent using `objc_msgSendSuper`; other messages are sent using `objc_msgSend`. Methods that have data structures as return values are sent using `objc_msgSendSuper_stret` and `objc_msgSend_stret`.

---

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