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What are getters and setters in JavaScript classes, and why are they useful?

Sandra Emily30608-Oct-2023

What are getters and setters in JavaScript classes, and why are they useful?

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Updated on 09-Oct-2023
Sandra Emily

Sandra Emily

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Aryan Kumar

Aryan Kumar

09-Oct-2023

In JavaScript classes, getters and setters are special methods that allow you to control access to the properties of an object. They are used to get (retrieve) and set (update) the values of object properties, and they provide a way to encapsulate and manage the internal state of an object. Getters and setters are particularly useful for maintaining data integrity and controlling how properties are accessed and modified.

Here's how getters and setters work in JavaScript classes:

Getter Methods:

  • A getter method is used to retrieve the value of a property.
  • It is defined using the get keyword followed by a method name.
  • When you access the property using dot notation, the getter method is automatically invoked.
class Circle {
  constructor(radius) {
    this._radius = radius; // Private property with an underscore convention
  }

  get radius() {
    return this._radius;
  }
}

const myCircle = new Circle(5);
console.log(myCircle.radius); // Accessing the property using the getter

Setter Methods:

  • A setter method is used to update the value of a property.
  • It is defined using the set keyword followed by a method name.
  • When you assign a value to the property using the assignment operator (=), the setter method is automatically invoked.
class Circle {
  constructor(radius) {
    this._radius = radius; // Private property with an underscore convention
  }

  get radius() {
    return this._radius;
  }

  set radius(newRadius) {
    if (newRadius >= 0) {
      this._radius = newRadius;
    } else {
      console.log("Radius cannot be negative.");
    }
  }
}

const myCircle = new Circle(5);
myCircle.radius = 7; // Updating the property using the setter
console.log(myCircle.radius);

Why are getters and setters useful?

Encapsulation: Getters and setters allow you to encapsulate the internal state of an object. By making properties private (using an underscore convention like _radius), you can control how they are accessed and modified, preventing direct manipulation from outside the class.

Validation and Data Integrity: Setters enable you to add validation logic to property updates. You can check if the new value meets certain criteria before allowing it to be assigned, ensuring that data remains consistent and valid.

Flexibility: Getters and setters provide flexibility to change the internal implementation of a class without affecting the external interface. You can add additional logic or calculations to the getter and setter methods without breaking existing code that uses the class.

Readability and Maintenance: Getters and setters make your code more readable and self-documenting. Developers using your class can understand how to interact with it more easily, and maintenance becomes more straightforward as you can make changes to the implementation without affecting the class's users.

Overall, getters and setters are powerful tools for managing the state of objects in JavaScript, promoting good coding practices, and ensuring the reliability and maintainability of your code.

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