Property or Method in C#: When Should You Use Which?

Properties and methods in C#

In C# development, developers often need to decide whether to implement a certain function as a property or a method. This article explores the principles that guide this choice, using the example of setting the text of an ASPX Label control.

According to Microsoft’s Class Library Development and Design Guidelines, the key difference between properties and methods lies in their respective purposes. Methods represent actions, while properties represent data. Properties should work like fields, avoiding complex calculations or side effects.

For the Label control, the task is to set the text. A direct method is:

<code class="language-csharp">public void SetLabelText(string text)
{
    Label.Text = text;
}</code>

However, since this operation just sets the value, it is more consistent with the definition of the property. Properties will provide a more convenient and familiar syntax:

<code class="language-csharp">public string LabelText
{
    get { return Label.Text; }
    set { Label.Text = value; }
}</code>

This property interface is closer to the concept of access fields, making it easier for developers to understand and use.

The principle of using properties for simple data access rather than actions provides guidance in making these decisions. For complex operations or operations involving side effects, methods are still the appropriate choice. Understanding this distinction ensures that your code is efficient, easy to understand, and maintainable.

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