Re: Structure in Java

Philippe Massicotte wrote On 08/07/07 14:04,:

    
class Persone {
        String name;
        String lastname;
    }

    It is usually preferable to keep the data elements
hidden, private to the class, and to provide methods
that fetch and perhaps change them:

    class Persone {
        private String name;
        private String lastname;

        String getName() {
            return name;
        }
        void setName(String name) {
            this.name = name;
        }

        String getLastname() {
            return lastname;
        }
        void setLastname(String lastname) {
            this.lastname = lastname;
        }
    }

This "getter/setter" or "accessor/mutator" pattern is so
common that some IDE's will write the methods for you
automatically. If something is used so often that IDE's
grow special features to make it easier, you may suspect
that a lot of people have found the pattern useful -- and
this in turn may make you re-evaluate your wish for a
"bare" struct.


    Why not?


    It depends what you consider "better."

--
Eric.Sosman@sun.com