<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 2.0.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 2.0.0 -",
    "macCatalyst: 13.1.0 -",
    "macOS: 10.0.0 -",
    "tvOS: 9.0.0 -",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 -",
    "watchOS: 1.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "ObjectiveC",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/ObjectiveC/objc_msgSend",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Function",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Function",
    "modules" : [
      "Objective-C Runtime"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:@F@objc_msgSend"
  },
  "title" : "objc_msgSend"
}
-->

# objc_msgSend

Sends a message with a simple return value to an instance of a class.

```
extern void objc_msgSend();
```

## Parameters

- term `self`: A pointer that points to the instance of the class that is to receive the message.
- term `op`: The selector of the method that handles the message.
- term `...`: A variable argument list containing the arguments to the method.

## Return Value

The return value of 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`.

---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)