Read-only variables VS read only properties

Question

public static string BoldStartTag { get { return "<B>"; } }

VS

   public static readonly string BoldStartTag  = "<B>"; 

or

public static const string BoldStartTag  = "<B>"; 

which one is preferred? I would think the readonly/constant variable as I am not doing any computation in the property (just return). Also, the C# compiler will eject a method for the readonly property whereas the readonly variable will just be a variable in the IL.

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Why not use const? I would have thought that having <B> as the bold start tag would be fairly set in stone.

Answer 2

The preferred method for public values is always a property, for encapsulation reasons.

For your specific example, though, I'd use a const -- it's not like BoldStartTag will be changing any time soon.

Answer 3

Jeff Atwood wrote an article on Properties vs Public Variables a while back.

I think some of the most interesting points to consider here are the ones he mentions in his update:

• Reflection works differently on variables vs. properties, so if you rely on reflection, it's easier to use all properties.
• You can't databind against a variable.
• Changing a variable to a property is a breaking change.