Re: Using Get() and Set() instead of accessing the variable directly
You wouldn't have to have anyone change their program in the future for
any new "tests" you might come up with as time goes on and your classes
evolve.
So many times I have had to do just that.
I have been burned by having direct variable access and having to go back
and change them all to Set() and Get() methods.
That is really my reason for just adding methods instead of accessing the
variables directly.
Who knows what the future brings?
It also becomes confusing when one class might acess the varible with Get()
and Set() methods
and another class accesses the variable directly.
I was sceptical about timing.
for(int x=0; x<GetCount(); x++)
{
// Do stuff
}
But, Joe mentioned that it compiles as efficiently as an assignment
statement.
So, I just wanted to reinforce what I believed to be true.
I think it is a bad habit to get into accessing variables directly.
I was taught that back in school. Well, no more.
P.S. .Net is newer and realized the need for set and get methods.
I read something about the IntializeVaribles() method that is also needed.
class(){ InitializeVariables(); }
class(int y){ InitializeVariables(); }
class(CString& String){ InitializeVariables(); }
class(bool bState){ InitializeVariables(); }
class(char c){ InitializeVariables(); }
etc.....
You almost always need some sort of InitializeVariables method, or whatever
you want to call it.
Instead of copying the variables to each overloaded constructor.
Though it is not always needed, it is just good practice to get into.
Longer in the short run, but shorter in the long run.
Thanks,
"Tom Serface" <tom.nospam@camaswood.com> wrote in message
news:eo%2343UxaHHA.4476@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
I don't know if I'd call it better, but it certainly encapsulates the data
better. For example, what if in the future you wanted to do data checking
on setting the variable like:
void SetY(int NewY) {
if(NewY > 10)
NewY = 10;
if(NewY < 0)
NewY = 0;
m_y = NewY;
}
You wouldn't have to have anyone change their program in the future for
any new "tests" you might come up with as time goes on and your classes
evolve. I wish the standard C++ had getters and setters like .NET where
you could just assign the variable and have th setter be called
automatically, but alas...
Tom
"Nobody" <Nobody@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:OUHS39waHHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
Is it better to access the variable using Set() and Get() methods, rather
than accessing the variable directly?
I suppose I learned early on to access variables directly, instead of
using Set() and Get() methods.
It was easier for simple stuff, but it caught up with me as I progressed
further.
Now, I feel as though accessing variables directly is just bad practice.
An example would be that even within the same class,
I can access private/protected variables, but when I divide up the class
into manageable parts,
I often have to add Get() and Set() methods anyways.
private:
int m_x;
int m_y;
inline void SetX(int NewX){ m_x = newX;} //inlined
inline int GetX(){ return m_x; } //inlined
public:
inline void SetY(int NewY){ m_y = newY;} //inlined
inline int GetY(){ return m_y; } //inlined
void SomeClass::SomeFunc()
{
m_y = 3; //Bad
SetY(3); //Good
m_x = 1; //Bad
SetX(1); //Good
}
I don't know if it really saves any time or not?
I don't know if the compiler treats it as accessing the variable directly
or not?
Maybe you can clear that up for me.
I just think it is just better practice to use Set() and Get() methods
for each variable even if they are only accessed within the same class.
Thoughts, Opinions?