Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

If they're not supposed to be used, why can they be used? Hyrum's law strikes again!

With a sufficient number of users of an API, it does not matter what you promise in the contract: all observable behaviors of your system will be depended on by somebody. (https://www.hyrumslaw.com/)



Because Objective-C doesn’t have access controls. If a method exists, you can call it. A "private" API is just an undocumented one.


Given enough motivation, access control is irrelevant too. See early Windows "private" API that was used for decades and Microsoft supported despite being "private", because they knew it was being used and they (used to) care about their users.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: