Method VS Property

[RBCC]

I am trying to learn when I should use a method and when should I use property? I am trying to write a one line routine that multiplies 2 denominators of a fraction together. Should I use a method or property I have a class that has the numerator and denominator in it and I would like to know it is good programming practice to do calculations in a property?

JOHN

 

[Robby]

Use a method for calculations. Think of properties as you would the properties of a button or a textbox.

 

[RBCC]

Can you not use a property for a calculation?

 

[RBCC]

Without being public how do you call a method with the data from a textbox?

 

[Robby]

You can pass the textbox or its contents to the method as an argument.

 

[Heiko]

IMHO, someone who sets a property value would not expect any side effects.
If side effects are going to occur, use a method.

 

[RBCC]

Explain "Side Effects" please!

 

[Bucky]

A "side effect" would be changing the value that the user passed
into a function without them expecting it, which is not usually
done in a property accessor. Like Robby said, functions should be
used to change and return values.

For example, its more advisable to have a Disconnect() method
than to have the user set the Connected property to false.

 

[RBCC]

So if had to calculate and output a common denominator in a textbox. ie: Switch the value to the common denominator calcultion I should use a property?