Re: Object properties

[Olexiy Avramchenko <olexiy irtech cn ua>]

Russell Shaw wrote:

> Hi,
> In a widget, should an object property of the widget be accessed 
> directly,
> or with g_object_get()/set() ?

Hello, Russel

What do you mean on "directly" ? I see two possible cases:
1) The direct access to the specific field of widgets structure.
2) Use of widget's supported wrappers like 'gtk_*_[gs]et_*()'.

The first case is not good because:
* widget implementation may change in future and you'll have to modify code;
* you have to support notification on changed property.
The only possible place for such things IMO is a widget implementation code.

The second case:
+ code is little more readable;
+ code will work somewhat faster (no need in GObject code that makes 
checks and calls [gs]et_property widgets methods);
+ wrappers are better documented ;), so its easier for others to learn 
your code;
- wrappers support access to the single property only, when with 
g_object_[gs]et you can change multiply properties at one call;
- wrappers sometime sound different from properties: 
gtk_toggle_button_set_mode() modify "draw_indicator" property, 
gtk_widget_show()/gtk_widget_hide() modify "visibility" property.

   Olexiy