Reference instance variables or method call within a class

Question

When using instance variables within a class, is there any advantage to directly referencing the instance variable versus using a getter? Which is more commonly seen?

Example using method calls:

public double howMuchFreeSpace() {
    return getCapacity() - getVolume();

Example referencing instance variables:

public double howMuchFreeSpace() {
    return this.capacity - this.volume;

It makes very little difference performance wise, so mostly a matter of readability and encapsulation. — assylias, Dec 06 '17 at 10:16
I'd prefer direct access since getters risk that the values are read form outside violating encapsulation... — Timothy Truckle, Dec 06 '17 at 10:19

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 06 '17 at 10:18

0

It's usually matter of preference inside a class. Direct referencing is more readable IMHO. So I suggest using direct referencing unless you need to execute some code when getting the value - that may be a reason to use getter.

answered Dec 06 '17 at 10:18

Abdul

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Reference instance variables or method call within a class

1 Answers1