setter

Definition

A method that changes the value of an object’s attribute.

Characteristics

• Used in object-oriented programming
• Provides controlled write access to an attribute without exposing the attribute directly
• Usually named with the set_ prefix, e.g. set_name()
• Supports encapsulation by controlling how hidden data is modified
• Typically changes the value of a private attribute
• Often paired with a getter
• May include logic (e.g., validation or formatting) before changing the attribute

Examples

class Student:
  # constructor
  def __init__(self, p_name):
    self.__name = p_name
 
  # setter
  def set_name(self, new_name):
    # validation with a length check
    if len(new_name) > 0:
      self.__name = new_name

Non-examples

• Directly changing a public attribute, e.g., student.name = "Jemima"
• Any method that returns the value of an attribute without changing the attribute

Specification links

OCR H446

• 1.2.4 Types of programming language
• 2.2.1 Programming techniques