How to set the value of a read-only property with generic getters and setters?

Question

Not sure if I worded this correctly ... but I have the following code:

    public Guid ItemId
    {
        get;
    }

    public TransactionItem()
    {
        this.ItemId = Guid.Empty;
    }

Naturally I am getting a read-only issue ... which I do understand. Is there anyway to set this property value without having to do something like the below:

    Guid _itemId = Guid.Empty;
    public Guid ItemId
    {
        get
        {
            return _itemId;
        }
        set
        {
            _itemId = value;
        }
    }

or

    public Guid ItemId
    {
        get;
        internal set;
    }

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I would go for this:

public Guid ItemId
{
    get;
    private set; // can omit as of C# 6 
}

public TransactionItem()
{
    this.ItemId = Guid.Empty;
}

Of course, it would be open for setting within this class, but since you are writing it I hope you have the sense to not break your own intentions...

In my opinion, things like readonly properties, are mostly important when seen from the outside. From the inside, it doesn't really matter what it is, cause there, you are the King =)

Answer 2

If you just need the ItemId property to be read-only for external users of your class, then Svish's answer is the way to go.

If you need ItemId to be read-only within the class itself then you'll need to do something like this:

private readonly Guid _ItemId
public Guid ItemId
{
    get { return _ItemId; }
}

public TransactionItem()
{
    _ItemId = Guid.Empty;
}