getter
n.n. A special tool in computer coding that lets you safely look at a piece of hidden information inside an object without changing it.
n. In object-oriented programming, a public method used to retrieve the value of a private member variable. It provides a controlled interface for accessing data while maintaining encapsulation, often paired with a 'setter' for data modification. In everyday English, it can also mean someone who obtains something.
I need to write a getter to see the user's age.
The programmer used a getter method to access the private price variable from the product class.
By using a getter instead of making the variable public, you can control exactly how the data is presented to other parts of the program.
Most commonly encountered in the compound 'go-getter' rather than as a standalone noun.
Last updated July 22, 2026