C# data model, are there any differences between using these form?

Question

I'm going to build my MVC Web Application and I created my data models.
I found online many ways to compile a data model code. This is easiest one, using only public properties:

public class Person
{
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string FirstName { get; set; }
    public string LastName { get; set; }
}

But I also found a version using a private variable and a public properies, like this:

public class Person
{
    private int id;
    private string firstName;
    private string lastName;

    public int Id { get { return id; } set { id = value; } }
    public string FirstName { get { return firstName; } set { firstName = value; } }
    public string LastName { get { return lastName; } set { lastName = value; } }
}

What is the difference between these two data models? When is more advisable using the first one or the second one?

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 15 '13 at 10:34

This is the same like asking: what is a difference bwteen auto properties and normal properties.

Auto properties:

easy creation (less to type)
internal field is generated for you automatically by compiler
Not possible to debug (set a break point inside the property)

Normal properties

Sligtly more code to type
Easy to debug
More code can be injected inside get and set

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 15 '13 at 10:33

2

If first example compiler will create private field for every automatic property itself, but they behave exactly the same. More info on MSDN

I would suggest second approach as you have more control how property works, but there is nothing wrong in using first one.

answered Jul 15 '13 at 10:33

gzaxx

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Little bit more info on this subject: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb384054.aspx – stevepkr84 Jul 15 '13 at 10:35
Important point is that you can later rewrite the first form to the second. Without that affecting any consuming code. – H H Jul 15 '13 at 10:35

score 0 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:31

The fiest block you have are auto-properties, and under the hood the c# will be compiled similar to the second block, so in this case there is no difference. Take a look at these posts here:

C# 3.0 auto-properties - useful or not?

What are Automatic Properties in C# and what is their purpose?

Any reason to use auto-implemented properties over manual implemented properties?

If you were implementing the INotifyPropertyChanged interface, then you would need to use the traditional way as you would be interacting with the property in the setter, see example...

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms743695.aspx

C# data model, are there any differences between using these form?

3 Answers3