Jay,

>I heartily agree. It provides less than full encapsulation in having to define an otherwise internal-to-the-class property as having public visibility, just to have the capability of using an assign method.

I really think that it would accomplish three things: First, as mentioned, it partitions the problem better. This leads, in and of itself, leads to a high degree of cohesion withing the system. Namely, that the method with the actual assign statement (This.somevalue = ParmValue) aren't also doing the validating. Finally, it also helps in debugging because it makes it easier to find the error. Assuming that the _assign for some reason trips the error handler, you've got a significantly smaller amount of code to deal with.

>Not that I'm a big user. Most of the classes I've developed are more application specific than foundation level, so the potential for mischief is considerably less. But, isn't orthogonality a virtue, or its own reward?

Never heard that one, but it's something to consider.< g >

>Say, have you seen the new bio of "de Mayr"? Just released about a month ago -- "American Pharaoh" -- appropriately titled. The local Border's had sold out, but I picked up a copy at Barnes and Noble for Father's Day. Fortunately, Dad likes to read -- it helps to throw a book in the mix with ties and Bulls t-shirts. I was only able to read the foreward before sending it off -- seems well written, fair, smooth -- and interesting!

Who wrote it? Anyone local to the Chicago writing/press scene? Bob Greene? I always considered that the "definitive" book on Richard J. Daly was Mike Royko's "Boss". I'll keep an eye out for it next time I'm at the mall

BTW, did you ever see that PBS show on him (Daly)?

>Ah, here I go off topic again. If we return to the city by the Lake again, maybe we could start a new thread in chatter.

Not a bad idea.:-)