Avoid using write-only properties.

Remarks

.NET allows you to create write-only properties, which can be stored but not exposed. A property is write-only if it uses the Set property accessor without the Get accessor. For instance, the following property is write-only, and can never be read:

    ' VB
    WriteOnly Property NewCustomerID() As String
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            ' some code here
        End Set
    End Property

  // C#
    public string NewCustomerID
    {
        set
        {
            // some code here
        }
    }

In general, write-only properties are not appropriate, since they do not allow data to be retrieved once it is stored. Most properties should allow read/write access or read-only access.

Resolution

Review properties that are write-only to ensure that they do not need to be exposed. If you need to expose the property, you should add a Get method to the property procedure. The following code example shows the above code modified to be read/write:

    ' VB    
    Public Property NewCustomerID() As String
        Get
            ' some code here
        End Get

        Set(ByVal value As String)
            ' some code here
        End Set
    End Property

    // C#
    public string NewCustomerID
    {
        get
        {
            // some code here
        }
        set
        {
            // some code here
        }
    }

To make the property read-only, remove the Set statement.

See Also

Property Usage Guidelines

VB Properties and Property Procedures

C# Properties Tutorial