Getter and setter methods in Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of getter method usage

What is the output of this Python code using a getter method?

Python

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self._name = name
    
    @property
    def name(self):
        return self._name

p = Person("Alice")
print(p.name)

A TypeError

B None

C AttributeError

D Alice

💡 Hint

Look at how the @property decorator allows access to the private variable.

The @property decorator makes the method 'name' act like an attribute. So, p.name returns the value of _name, which is 'Alice'.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output after setting a value with setter

What will be printed after running this code that uses a setter method?

Python

class Temperature:
    def __init__(self, celsius):
        self._celsius = celsius
    
    @property
    def celsius(self):
        return self._celsius
    
    @celsius.setter
    def celsius(self, value):
        if value < -273.15:
            raise ValueError("Temperature below absolute zero!")
        self._celsius = value

t = Temperature(25)
t.celsius = 30
print(t.celsius)

A 30

B 25

C ValueError

D AttributeError

💡 Hint

The setter updates the private variable if the value is valid.

The setter method changes _celsius to 30 because 30 is above absolute zero. So, printing t.celsius shows 30.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What error is raised when setting invalid value?

What error does this code raise when trying to set an invalid temperature?

Python

class Temperature:
    def __init__(self, celsius):
        self._celsius = celsius
    
    @property
    def celsius(self):
        return self._celsius
    
    @celsius.setter
    def celsius(self, value):
        if value < -273.15:
            raise ValueError("Temperature below absolute zero!")
        self._celsius = value

t = Temperature(20)
t.celsius = -300

A No error

B TypeError

C ValueError

D AttributeError

💡 Hint

Check the condition inside the setter method.

The setter raises a ValueError because -300 is less than -273.15, which is not allowed.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

Why use getter and setter methods?

Which of these is the main reason to use getter and setter methods in Python classes?

A To control access and validation when getting or setting an attribute

B To make code run faster

C To avoid using classes altogether

D To automatically print attribute values

💡 Hint

Think about why you might want to check or change a value before saving it.

Getters and setters let you control how attributes are accessed or changed, such as adding checks or calculations.

❓ Predict Output

expert

Output of complex getter and setter interaction

What is the output of this code that uses both getter and setter with extra logic?

Python

class BankAccount:
    def __init__(self):
        self._balance = 0
    
    @property
    def balance(self):
        return self._balance
    
    @balance.setter
    def balance(self, amount):
        if amount < 0:
            print("Cannot set negative balance")
        else:
            self._balance = amount

account = BankAccount()
account.balance = 100
print(account.balance)
account.balance = -50
print(account.balance)

A

100
-50

B

100
Cannot set negative balance
100

C

Cannot set negative balance
-50

D

100
100

💡 Hint

Notice what happens when trying to set a negative balance.

The setter prints a warning and does not change _balance if the amount is negative. So balance stays 100 after the failed set.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of getter and setter methods in a Python class?

easy

A. To create new classes dynamically

B. To control access to private attributes safely

C. To execute code asynchronously

D. To delete objects from memory

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand getter and setter roles

   Getter methods retrieve attribute values, and setter methods update them while controlling access.

2. Step 2: Identify their purpose in encapsulation

   They protect private data by allowing controlled reading and writing, preventing direct access.

3. Final Answer:

   To control access to private attributes safely -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Getter/setter = control private data [OK]

Hint: Getters and setters manage private data access [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking they create new classes
• Confusing with asynchronous code
• Assuming they delete objects

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to define a setter method for attribute age using the @property decorator in Python?

easy

A. @property.setter\ndef set_age(self, value):\n self._age = value

B. @setter.age\ndef age(self, value):\n self._age = value

C. @age.setter\ndef age(self, value):\n self._age = value

D. @age.setter\ndef set_age(self):\n self._age = value

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall setter syntax with @property

   The setter uses @attribute.setter decorator and method name matches the attribute.

2. Step 2: Check method signature

   Setter method takes self and value parameters to set the attribute.

3. Final Answer:

   @age.setter\ndef age(self, value):\n self._age = value -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Setter uses @age.setter and method age(self, value) [OK]

Hint: Setter uses @attribute.setter and method named attribute [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong decorator like @setter.age
• Method name not matching attribute
• Setter missing value parameter

3. What will be the output of the following code?

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self._name = name

    @property
    def name(self):
        return self._name

    @name.setter
    def name(self, value):
        self._name = value.upper()

p = Person('alice')
p.name = 'bob'
print(p.name)

medium

A. bob

B. Error

C. alice

D. BOB

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand setter behavior

   Setter converts the assigned value to uppercase before storing it.

2. Step 2: Trace code execution

   Initially name is 'alice', then set to 'bob' which setter changes to 'BOB'. Printing returns 'BOB'.

3. Final Answer:

   BOB -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Setter uppercases value, output = BOB [OK]

Hint: Setter modifies value before storing, output reflects change [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting original lowercase 'bob'
• Thinking print shows initial 'alice'
• Assuming code raises error

4. Identify the error in this code snippet using getter and setter methods:

class Car:
    def __init__(self):
        self._speed = 0

    @property
    def speed(self):
        return self._speed

    @speed.setter
    def speed(self):
        self._speed = 100

c = Car()
c.speed = 50
print(c.speed)

medium

A. Setter method missing value parameter

B. Getter method missing return statement

C. Property decorator used incorrectly

D. No error, code runs fine

Solution

1. Step 1: Check setter method signature

   Setter must accept two parameters: self and value to set the attribute.

2. Step 2: Identify missing parameter

   Current setter only has self, missing value parameter, causing error on assignment.

3. Final Answer:

   Setter method missing value parameter -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Setter needs (self, value) parameters [OK]

Hint: Setter must have value parameter besides self [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting value parameter in setter
• Confusing getter and setter decorators
• Assuming code runs without error

5. You want to create a class Temperature that stores temperature in Celsius internally but allows getting and setting the temperature in Fahrenheit using getter and setter methods. Which code correctly implements this behavior?

hard

A. class Temperature:
def __init__(self, celsius=0):
self._celsius = celsius

@property
def fahrenheit(self):
return (self._celsius * 9/5) + 32

@fahrenheit.setter
def fahrenheit(self, value):
self._celsius = (value - 32) * 5/9

B. class Temperature:
def __init__(self, fahrenheit=32):
self._fahrenheit = fahrenheit

@property
def celsius(self):
return (self._fahrenheit - 32) * 5/9

@celsius.setter
def celsius(self, value):
self._fahrenheit = (value * 9/5) + 32

C. class Temperature:
def __init__(self, celsius=0):
self.celsius = celsius

@property
def fahrenheit(self):
return (self.celsius * 9/5) + 32

@fahrenheit.setter
def fahrenheit(self, value):
self.celsius = (value - 32) * 5/9

D. class Temperature:
def __init__(self, fahrenheit=32):
self.fahrenheit = fahrenheit

@property
def celsius(self):
return (self.fahrenheit - 32) * 5/9

@celsius.setter
def celsius(self, value):
self.fahrenheit = (value * 9/5) + 32

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand internal storage and interface

   The class stores temperature internally in Celsius (_celsius) but exposes Fahrenheit via getter and setter.

2. Step 2: Check getter and setter calculations

   Getter converts Celsius to Fahrenheit; setter converts Fahrenheit to Celsius and stores it.

3. Step 3: Verify correct use of private attribute and decorators

   class Temperature: def __init__(self, celsius=0): self._celsius = celsius @property def fahrenheit(self): return (self._celsius * 9/5) + 32 @fahrenheit.setter def fahrenheit(self, value): self._celsius = (value - 32) * 5/9 uses _celsius internally and @property/@fahrenheit.setter correctly.

4. Final Answer:

   Option A code correctly implements the behavior -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Internal Celsius, getter/setter convert Fahrenheit [OK]

Hint: Store Celsius internally, convert in getter/setter for Fahrenheit [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Storing Fahrenheit internally instead of Celsius
• Using public attributes without underscore
• Mixing getter/setter names and attributes