Properties vs. Methods in C#: When Should You Use Properties Instead?

Selection of attributes and methods in C# programming

In software engineering, the choice of using properties or methods to implement code functions often causes controversy. This article is intended to provide guidance on when to use each method, focusing on the following questions:

In C#, when should you use properties instead of methods?

Guiding principles for decision-making

According to the Class Library Development and Design Guidelines, decisions should follow the following principles:

• Method: usually means action or behavior.
• Attributes: represents data and its usage is similar to fields.

Therefore, attributes should be used when they meet the following conditions:

• No complex calculations involved.
• No side effects.
• Easy to use, especially for less experienced developers.

Example: Set control text

Consider the following example:

public void SetLabel(string text)
{
    Label.Text = text;
}

In this example, the code sets the text of the label control, and properties are more appropriate than methods. This is because:

• Setting label text is a simple data operation.
• It does not involve any complex calculations or side effects.
• It is more intuitive and easier to understand using it as an attribute, such as Label.Text = text.

By applying the guidelines, it becomes clear that using attributes is the better choice in this scenario.

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