UIImage UIImageView memory question

[williamsbm2000]

Hello, I am just curious about an efficient way of using a UIImageView that changes images frequently. I have read that the +imageNamed: method is good because it will cache the loaded image after the first time it is loaded.

Basically, I have a UIImageView object, and it switches between two different images. Should my object store two NSStrings with the paths to these objects, and then call:

if (setFirstImage)
  [imageViewObject setImage:[UIImage imageNamed:string1]];
else
  [imageViewObject setImage:[UIImage imageNamed:string2]];

Or is it more efficient to simply store the UIImage objects as instance variables inside of my UIImageView object, and then switch between them like so:

if (setFirstImage)
  [imageViewObject setImage:firstImage];
else
  [imageViewObject setImage:secondImage];

From what I understand, the first way would be better, because the imageViewObject would not need to store as much information about itself, but I haven't really found much information about UIImageViews, so any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Brian

[williamsbm2000]

From what I understand, the first way would be better, because the imageViewObject would not need to store as much information about itself, but I haven't really found much information about UIImageViews, so any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Okay, that was a silly question. I know that either way, it is only storing a POINTER to the objects, not the UIImage or NSString objects themselves. What I am wondering, is that if I use a pointer to a UIImage, if it will only load the image on the first imageNamed: call, as opposed to loading it more (possibly) by calling imageNamed:string every time I need to switch images? Thanks,

Brian