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# primitiveValue(forKey:)

Returns the value for the specified property from the managed object’s private internal storage .

```
func primitiveValue(forKey key: String) -> Any?
```

## Parameters

`key`

The name of one of the receiver’s properties.

## Return Value

The value of the property specified by `key`. Returns `nil` if no value has been set.

## Discussion

This method does not invoke the access notification methods ([`willAccessValue(forKey:)`](/documentation/CoreData/NSManagedObject/willAccessValue(forKey:)) and [`didAccessValue(forKey:)`](/documentation/CoreData/NSManagedObject/didAccessValue(forKey:))). This method is used primarily by subclasses that implement custom accessor methods that need direct access to the receiver’s private storage.

### Special Considerations

Subclasses should not override this method.

The following points also apply:

- Primitive accessor methods are only supported on *modeled* properties. If you invoke a primitive accessor on an unmodeled property, it will instead operate upon a random modeled property. (The debug libraries and frameworks (available from [Apple Developer Website](http://developer.apple.com/)) have assertions to test for passing unmodeled keys to these methods.)
- You are strongly encouraged to use the dynamically-generated accessors rather than using this method directly (for example, `primitiveName:` instead of `primitiveValueForKey:@"name"`). The dynamic accessors are much more efficient, and allow for compile-time checking.

## See Also

[`setObservationInfo(_:)`](/documentation/CoreData/NSManagedObject/setObservationInfo(_:))

Sets the observation info of the managed object.


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