Is { get; set; } useful?

Question

from time to time, I see some sample code that is handed to me that has a code snippet that looks like this: public string Name { get ; set ; } Does this actually do anything? Does it really make it so that one can set and get the "Name" string variable? I have always thought that what is required is something like this: private string name; public string Name { get { return this .name; } set { this .name = value; } } Am I correct? Please advise.

Gajanan Chavhan · Answer

Definitely. One of the use of it is , it reduces amount of code to be written. Let say your class has 10 property then in this case your code will become more lengthy if you dont use auto implemented property. public string Name { get ; set ; } This type of properties are called as auto implemented property and compiler will generate get and set method for you.

James Axsom · Answer

Yes. It does a lot. Programmers call these accessors, also known as a property. A class or a struct has properties providing the means to read and write the data “encapsulated” inside a class or struct. Using your example, a name property, the idea is that not just any aspect of an application can just nilly-willy access and use the name field. The application must create an instance of the class and access the property in order to access the name field. The get is used to read the data. Perhaps the application needs to put a name on a customer form, if so it will use the get portion of the property. The set is used to write data. Perhaps the name is being updated because a customer got married and the last name has changed. The data is written to the field via property and later saved to a database on a button click. A property with only get is read only. A property with only set is write only. A property with both is read and write. I use these all time when I program. Its very common.

Tushar Dikshit · Answer

yes, With evolution of C# from 2.0 to 3 or latest versions following public string Name { get; set; } is good. It will create the property. Thanks.

Rafnas T P · Answer

hi, using this get and set you can protect the values, whether you want to allow read only, write only or both, this property is for security purpose we can use.