ActionScript 3 Object Oriented Programming getter and setter
Example
Getters and setters are methods that are behaved like properties. it means they have function structure but when used, they are used same as properties:
Structure of getter functions:
they should have get keyword after function keyword and before function name, with no argument, a return type specified and must return a value:
public function get myValue():Type{
//anything here
return _desiredValue;
}
Syntax:
to get the value from a getter,the syntax is the same as getting a value from a property(no parens () are used).
trace(myValue);
Structure of setter functions:
they should have set keyword after function keyword and before function name, with one argument, and no value return.
public function set myValue(value:Type):void{
//anything here
_desiredProperty=value;
}
Syntax:
to set the value of a setter,the syntax is the same as setting a value to a property(using equal sign = then value).
myValue=desiredValue;
setting a getter and setter for one value:
Note: if you create only getter or only setter with a name, that property would be read-only or set-only.
to make a property both readable and setable, should create a getter and a setter with:
1.the same name.
2.the same type(type of return value for the getter and type of input value(argument) for the setter,
Note: getters and setters should not have a name same as other properties or methods .
Usage of getters and setters:
Using getters and setters rather than normal properties has many pros:
1.making read-only or set-only properties:
for example number of children in a display object. it can't be setable.
2.accessing private properties:
an example:
private var _private:Type=new Type();
//note that function name "private" is not same as variable name "_private"
public function get private():Type{
return _private;
}
3.when some change is required after setting a value:
in this example, changing this property must be notified:
public static function set val:(input:Type):void{
_desiredProperty=input;
notifyValueChanged();
}
and many other usages
