Question

Is using Java fields directly or using the accessor method better? Within the same class.

Example:

private ArrayList<String> list;

list.get(0);

or

getList().get(0);

Answer 1

Within the same class it fine to access the members directly, the encapsulation and hiding is intended for out of the class.

When you think about it, you access it directly anyway:

private void useList()
{
    String temp = getList().get(0); // access "via accessor" ----------+
    System.out.println(temp);                                          |
}                                                                      |
                                                                       |
public ArrayList<String> getList()                                     |
{                                                                      |
    return theList; // but you actually directly access it here...  <--+
}