---
title: "webView(_:identifierForInitialRequest:from:)"
framework: webkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "webkit/webresourceloaddelegate/webview(_:identifierforinitialrequest:from:)"
---

# webView(_:identifierForInitialRequest:from:)

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

## Declaration

```swift
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

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

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:) method may be invoked multiple times.

## See Also

### Related Documentation

- [WebKit Objective-C Programming Guide](apple-archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/DisplayWebContent.md)