The only real difference that I see between assignment-style and function-style accessors is that if you use function-style accessors and later you replace an automatically generated accessor with a customized (manually generated) accessor, then all of the code that uses the original accessor continues to work (with a recompile). For example: struct MyClass { Property<int> counter; }; void foo() { MyClass x; x.counter( 5 ); } Now let's say that we re-define MyClass: struct MyClass { void counter( int iValue ) { counter = iValue; NotifyObserver(); } private: int counter; }; The function foo() doesn't need to be changed. This is more difficult to do with assignment-style accessors. David -----Original Message----- From: boost-bounces@lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] On Behalf Of Stewart, Robert Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 7:11 AM To: boost@lists.boost.org Subject: Re: [boost] [property] interest in C# like properties for C++? David Brownstein wrote:
I also share your belief that using function-style accessors rather than assignment is preferable.
Why? What does that syntax offer you that makes it better? I understand Gennadiy's notion of searching for ".value" allowing him to find cases in which he assigns to a "property," though I fail to understand why such a search is important. I don't understand how parentheses help anything. In your code, you seem to support both syntaxes: std::string strName = Z.Name(); int iCount = Z.Count; Z.Count(3); Z.Count = 6; I see nothing gained by using parentheses. If there are to be function calls, I should think it would be functions with names like "get_value" and "set_value," though I'd lament the added verboseness. _____ Rob Stewart robert.stewart@sig.com Software Engineer, Core Software using std::disclaimer; Susquehanna International Group, LLP http://www.sig.com IMPORTANT: The information contained in this email and/or its attachments is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by reply and immediately delete this message and all its attachments. Any review, use, reproduction, disclosure or dissemination of this message or any attachment by an unintended recipient is strictly prohibited. Neither this message nor any attachment is intended as or should be construed as an offer, solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument. Neither the sender, his or her employer nor any of their respective affiliates makes any warranties as to the completeness or accuracy of any of the information contained herein or that this message or any of its attachments is free of viruses. _______________________________________________ Unsubscribe & other changes: http://lists.boost.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/boost