Getters and Setters in JavaScript

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In JavaScript, there are two kinds of object properties:

• Data properties
• Accessor properties

The first kind is data properties. We already know how to work with them. All properties that we’ve been using until now were data properties.

In JavaScript, accessor properties are methods that get or set the value of an object. For that, we use these two keywords:

• get - to define a getter method to get the property value
• set - to define a setter method to set the property value

Getters and Setters:

The getter works when obj.propName is read, the setter – when it is assigned.

For example

We don’t call user.fullName as a function, we read it normally: the getter runs behind the scenes.

As of now, fullName has only a getter. If we attempt to assign user.fullName=, there will be an error:

Let’s fix it by adding a setter for user.fullName:

Why Using Getters and Setters?

• It gives simpler syntax
• It allows equal syntax for properties and methods
• It can secure better data quality
• It is useful for doing things behind-the-scenes