Getters and setters in Java serve the purpose of regulating access to the attributes of a class and ensuring encapsulation in object-oriented design. They aid in safeguarding the data and enhance the maintainability of the code. By utilizing these methods, one can modify the data without disrupting other parts of the code, thereby boosting the code’s adaptability and security.
This article delves into the extensive use of getters and setters in Java.
In object-oriented design (OOP), getters and setters are methodologies that provide control over the attributes of an object. A getter, also referred to as an accessor, retrieves the value of a private attribute, whereas a setter, or mutator, enables the assignment of a value to a private attribute.
The primary objective of utilizing getters and setters is to realize encapsulation, which stands as a core tenet of OOP.
What are Getters in Java
Getter methods in Java are utilized to access the value of an instance variable. They commence with the term “get”, succeeded by the variable’s name with the initial letter capitalized.
For instance, for a variable “name”, the corresponding getter method would be “getName”.
Getter Method Syntax:
public class Person { private String name; public String getName() { return name; } }
Example:
Java
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url: “https://intellipaat.com/blog/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php”,
type: “post”,
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language: “java”,
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Result:
Clarification: In the illustrated Java code, the class Person contains a private variable, name. The getName() method acts as a getter to retrieve the name. An instance of the Person class with the name Intellipaat is instantiated in the main method, and the getName() method is invoked to display it.
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The Setter method in Java is employed to assign a value to an instance variable. It commences with the term “set” followed by the variable name, with the initial letter capitalized.
For instance, for a variable “age”, the setter method would be “setAge”.
Syntax of Setter Method:
public class Person { private int age; public void setAge(int age) { this.age = age; } }
Sample:
Java
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editor20137.setValue(decodedContent); // Set the default text
editor20137.clearSelection();
editor20137.setOptions({
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function decodeHTML20137(input) {
var doc = new DOMParser().parseFromString(input, “text/html”);
return doc.documentElement.textContent;
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// Function to copy code to clipboard
function copyCodeToClipboard20137() {
const code = editor20137.getValue(); // Get code from the editor
navigator.clipboard.writeText(code).then(() => {
// alert(“Code copied to clipboard!”);
data: {
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code: code,
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function closeoutput20137() {
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}
// Attach event listeners to the buttons
document.getElementById("copyBtn20137").addEventListener("click", copyCodeToClipboard20137);
document.getElementById("runBtn20137").addEventListener("click", runCode20137);
document.getElementById("closeoutputBtn20137").addEventListener("click", closeoutput20137);
Result:
Clarification: In the provided Java code, the class Person has a private field, age. The setAge() method is utilized to assign the age, while the getAge() method retrieves it. Subsequently, in the main method, an instance of the Person is created.
Java Getters and Setters: Common Mistakes
1. Implementing Getters and Setters for Public Variables.
When a variable is public, there’s no need for getter/setter methods. It’s advisable to maintain variables as private and access them through getters and setters for proper encapsulation.
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5. Avoiding References in Setters
Directly setting an object reference in setters may cause complications if the object is altered from outside.
Illustration:
Java
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function closeoutput1939() {
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jQuery(".maineditor1939 .code-editor-output").hide();
}
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document.getElementById("copyBtn1939").addEventListener("click", copyCodeToClipboard1939);
document.getElementById("runBtn1939").addEventListener("click", runCode1939);
document.getElementById("closeoutputBtn1939").addEventListener("click", closeoutput1939);
Utilize a copy in setters to prevent external modifications.
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6. Incorporating Getters and Setters for Each Field
Only incorporate getters and setters for the fields that necessitate external access or alteration.
Include the Getters and Setters in the fields that must be accessed or modified from outside the class. Utilizing them externally will disrupt encapsulation and could render your code less secure.
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document.getElementById("closeoutputBtn39216").addEventListener("click", closeoutput39216);
By steering clear of these frequent errors, you can uphold encapsulation and attain more maintainable code.
Why Utilize Getters and Setters in Java?
Getters and setters are employed for the following purposes:
Encapsulation: Getters and Setters facilitate encapsulation, enabling the internal state of an object to remain hidden by setting its fields as private and utilizing public getters and setters.
Immutability: If a field is private and only the getter exists without a setter, the object becomes immutable, meaning its data cannot be modified. This is extremely useful when you wish to keep the object's values constant.
Flexibility: Getters and setters enhance code flexibility. Should you want to alter the manner in which a value is returned, you can implement that within the getter and setter without modifying the external code; adjustments only need to be made within the setter and getter.
Access Control: By utilizing getters and setters, you can determine who has the ability to read or alter a field’s value. For instance, you can make the getter public allowing anyone to read the value, while keeping the setter private or protected so that only specific classes can modify it.
Proper Value Assignment: A setter can be utilized to validate a variable's value prior to storage, allowing you to incorporate rules and conditions within the setter method so that only valid data gets assigned to the field.
Abstraction: Getters and setters contribute to achieving abstraction. Other classes or modules interact with the object by invoking its public methods without needing to understand the internal structure or management of the fields. This conceals complexity and makes the system more straightforward.
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In Java, getters and setters are crucial in preserving encapsulation and ensuring data integrity. Getters provide access to private fields within a class, while setters allow regulated modifications to these attributes. Utilizing getters and setters enables developers to create durable and maintainable code that adheres to encapsulation principles.
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