In what situation should I use a Private Set on a property versus making it a Re
ID: 642304 • Letter: I
Question
In what situation should I use a Private Set on a property versus making it a ReadOnly property? Take into consideration the two very simplistic examples below.
First example:
Public Class Person
Private _name As String
Public Property Name As String
Get
Return _name
End Get
Private Set(ByVal value As String)
_name = value
End Set
End Property
Public Sub WorkOnName()
Dim txtInfo As TextInfo = _
Threading.Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture.TextInfo
Me.Name = txtInfo.ToTitleCase(Me.Name)
End Sub
End Class
// ----------
public class Person
{
private string _name;
public string Name
{
get { return _name; }
private set { _name = value; }
}
public void WorkOnName()
{
TextInfo txtInfo = System.Threading.Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture.TextInfo;
this.Name = txtInfo.ToTitleCase(this.Name);
}
}
Second example:
Public Class AnotherPerson
Private _name As String
Public ReadOnly Property Name As String
Get
Return _name
End Get
End Property
Public Sub WorkOnName()
Dim txtInfo As TextInfo = _
Threading.Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture.TextInfo
_name = txtInfo.ToTitleCase(_name)
End Sub
End Class
// ---------------
public class AnotherPerson
{
private string _name;
public string Name
{
get { return _name; }
}
public void WorkOnName()
{
TextInfo txtInfo = System.Threading.Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture.TextInfo;
_name = txtInfo.ToTitleCase(_name);
}
}
They both yield the same results. Is this a situation where there's no right and wrong, and it's just a matter of preference?
Explanation / Answer
There are a couple reasons to use private set.
1) If you are not using a backing field at all and want a read-only automatic property:
public string Name { get; private set; }
public void WorkOnName()
{
TextInfo txtInfo = Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture.TextInfo;
Name = txtInfo.ToTitleCase(Name);
}
2) If you want to do extra work when you modify the variable inside your class and want to capture that in a single location:
private string _name = string.Empty;
public string Name
{
get { return _name; }
private set
{
TextInfo txtInfo = Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture.TextInfo;
_name = txtInfo.ToTitleCase(value);
}
}
In general, though, it's a matter of personal preference. Far as I know, there are no performance reasons to use one over the other.
Related Questions
drjack9650@gmail.com
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.