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# webView(_:identifierForInitialRequest:from:)

Returns an identifier object used to track the progress of loading a single resource.

```
optional func webView(_ sender: WebView!, identifierForInitialRequest request: URLRequest!, from dataSource: WebDataSource!) -> Any!
```

## Parameters

`sender`

The web view that sent this message.

`request`

The request that initiated this load for `dataSource`.

`dataSource`

The data source for this web view.

## Return Value

An identifier object that is retained by `sender` and passed as a parameter to all other delegate messages pertaining to this resource.

## Discussion

Delegates might implement this method to begin tracking the progress of loading an individual resource. Note that this method is invoked once per load where as the [`webView(_:resource:willSend:redirectResponse:from:)`](/documentation/WebKit/WebResourceLoadDelegate/webView(_:resource:willSend:redirectResponse:from:)) method may be invoked multiple times.

## See Also

  [WebKit Objective-C Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/DisplayWebContent/DisplayWebContent.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000164i)


---

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