Instance member cannot be used on type

You just have syntax error when saying = {return self.someValue}. The = isn't needed.

Use :

var numPages: Int {
    get{
        return categoriesPerPage.count
    }

}

if you want get only you can write

var numPages: Int {
     return categoriesPerPage.count
}

with the first way you can also add observers as set willSet & didSet

var numPages: Int {
    get{
        return categoriesPerPage.count
    }
    set(v){
       self.categoriesPerPage = v
    }
}

allowing to use = operator as a setter

myObject.numPages = 5

For anyone else who stumbles on this make sure you're not attempting to modify the class rather than the instance! (unless you've declared the variable as static)

eg.

MyClass.variable = 'Foo' // WRONG! - Instance member 'variable' cannot be used on type 'MyClass'

instanceOfMyClass.variable = 'Foo' // Right!

Sometimes Xcode when overrides methods adds class func instead of just func. Then in static method you can't see instance properties. It is very easy to overlook it. That was my case.

It is saying you have an instance variable (the var is only visible/accessible when you have an instance of that class) and you are trying to use it in the context of a static scope (class method).

You can make your instance variable a class variable by adding static/class attribute.

You instantiate an instance of your class and call the instance method on that variable.