ios - self keyword semantics when changing an instance method to class method -

-(uiview*)showmenu{     uiview *view = [[uiview alloc]initwithframe:cgrectmake(0, 0, 200, 400)];     [view addsubview:self.menutableview];     return view; } 

i have simple function, works fine. wanted make function class method (so wouldn't have make instance of class use it..), , prefixed + instead.

which results in error message: member reference type 'struct obj_class' pointer, maybe u meant use ->. try that, still error. can pls explain me why happening?

self variable inside instance method refers instance of object on instance method called.

since class methods not associated particular instance, self means class object on class method defined. since class class not have member called menutableview, compiler reports error.