Class Getter Method

Getters are methods used to access the values of a property. Getters may include formatting, or not.

Getters are usually created with a setter method.

Getters are build on top of private properties: that way, the getter is main way to reach the data.

Getters may be replaced by a property hook.

Getters generates a lot of boilerplate code, as they must be created for each property, and are often reduced to returning the property itself. This does not help performances too, as a call to a property is now replaced by a method call.

<?php

    class X {
        private $property;

        public function getProperty() {
            return $this->property;
        }
    }

?>

Documentation

Related : Class, Class Setter Method, Class Wither Method, Property Hook, Visibility, Boilerplate, Encapsulation, implements

Added in PHP 5.0+