Method
From DocForge
A method is a function defined within a class. While properties represent the state of an object, methods define the actions which can be performed by the object, often altering the state.
Scope [edit]
A private method is only available to other methods within the class. A protected method is available to other methods within the class and any classes which extend it. A public method can be called from outside or inside the class.
A static method is not tied to the instance of the object. It therefore doesn't have direct access to any non-static properties of its class.
Examples [edit]
PHP:
class Address { // Properties private $city; private $state; private $zip; // Private method not accessible outside this class private function set_zip($new_zip) { $this->zip = $new_zip; } // Public methods can be called from outside this class public function get_zip() { return $this->zip; } } $address = new Address(); echo $address->get_zip(); // Will return the address's zip property value echo $address->set_zip('12345'); // Will fail because set_zip is a private method

