Differences Between Properties and Variables
Variables and properties let you get access to values. But there are differences in their storage and implementation.
Variables
A variable always has a location in memory.
You make a variable with one declaration statement.
You make a local variable in a procedure, and it is available only in that procedure.
You make a member variable (also known as a field) in a module, Class, or Struct.
Properties
A property is a data element that you make in one of the containers Library or Class.
You make a property with a code block between the clauses Property and End.
The code block contains procedures: Get, Set, or the two together.
These procedures are known as property procedures or property accessors.
They not only return and store a property's value, but can also do other operations.
Differences
| Quality | Variable | One-line property | Block property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declaration | One declaration statement | One declaration statement | Sequence of statements in a code block |
| Implementation | One location in memory | One location in memory | Executable code. |
| Storage | Directly related to its value | Directly related to its value | By default, has storage local to the property. |
| Executable code | None | None | One or two procedures |
| Read and write access | Read/write or read-only | Read/write | Read/write, read-only, or write-only |
| Special operations (more than a result or a changed value) | Not possible | Not possible | Possible with Get and Set. |