# Stored Properties

> Access stored and computed values that are part of an instance or type.

- Skill: `tools-only/stored-properties` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/stored-properties`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/stored-properties/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/stored-properties

---

# Properties

Access stored and computed values that are part of an instance or type.

*Properties* associate values with a particular class, structure, or enumeration.
Stored properties store constant and variable values as part of an instance,
whereas computed properties calculate (rather than store) a value.
Computed properties are provided by classes, structures, and enumerations.
Stored properties are provided only by classes and structures.

<!--
  - test: `enumerationsCantProvideStoredProperties`

  ```swifttest
  -> enum E { case a, b; var x = 0 }
  !$ error: enums must not contain stored properties
  !! enum E { case a, b; var x = 0 }
  !! ^
  ```
-->

Stored and computed properties are usually associated with instances of a particular type.
However, properties can also be associated with the type itself.
Such properties are known as type properties.

In addition, you can define property observers to monitor changes in a property's value,
which you can respond to with custom actions.
Property observers can be added to stored properties you define yourself,
and also to properties that a subclass inherits from its superclass.

<!--
  - test: `propertyObserverIntroClaims`

  ```swifttest
  -> class C {
        var x: Int = 0 {
           willSet { print("C willSet x to \(newValue)") }
           didSet { print("C didSet x from \(oldValue)") }
        }
     }
  -> class D: C {
        override var x: Int {
           willSet { print("D willSet x to \(newValue)") }
           didSet { print("D didSet x from \(oldValue)") }
        }
     }
  -> var c = C(); c.x = 42
  <- C willSet x to 42
  <- C didSet x from 0
  -> var d = D(); d.x = 42
  <- D willSet x to 42
  <- C willSet x to 42
  <- C didSet x from 0
  <- D didSet x from 0
  ```
-->

You can also use a property wrapper
to reuse code in the getter and setter of multiple properties.

## Stored Properties

In its simplest form, a stored property is a constant or variable
that's stored as part of an instance of a particular class or structure.
Stored properties can be either
*variable stored properties* (introduced by the `var` keyword)
or *constant stored properties* (introduced by the `let` keyword).

You can provide a default value for a stored property as part of its definition,
as described in <doc:Initialization#Default-Property-Values>.
You can also set and modify the initial value for a stored property during initialization.
This is true even for constant stored properties,
as described in <doc:Initialization#Assigning-Constant-Properties-During-Initialization>.

The example below defines a structure called `FixedLengthRange`,
which describes a range of integers
whose range length can't be changed after it's created:

```swift
struct FixedLengthRange {
    var firstValue: Int
    let length: Int
}
var rangeOfThreeItems = FixedLengthRange(firstValue: 0, length: 3)
// the range represents integer values 0, 1, and 2
rangeOfThreeItems.firstValue = 6
// the range now represents integer values 6, 7, and 8
```

<!--
  - test: `storedProperties, storedProperties-err`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct FixedLengthRange {
        var firstValue: Int
        let length: Int
     }
  -> var rangeOfThreeItems = FixedLengthRange(firstValue: 0, length: 3)
  // the range represents integer values 0, 1, and 2
  -> rangeOfThreeItems.firstValue = 6
  // the range now represents integer values 6, 7, and 8
  ```
-->

Instances of `FixedLengthRange` have
a variable stored property called `firstValue`
and a constant stored property called `length`.
In the example above, `length` is initialized when the new range is created
and can't be changed thereafter, because it's a constant property.

### Stored Properties of Constant Structure Instances

If you create an instance of a structure
and assign that instance to a constant,
you can't modify the instance's properties,
even if they were declared as variable properties:

```swift
let rangeOfFourItems = FixedLengthRange(firstValue: 0, length: 4)
// this range represents integer values 0, 1, 2, and 3
rangeOfFourItems.firstValue = 6
// this will report an error, even though firstValue is a variable property
```

<!--
  - test: `storedProperties-err`

  ```swifttest
  -> let rangeOfFourItems = FixedLengthRange(firstValue: 0, length: 4)
  // this range represents integer values 0, 1, 2, and 3
  -> rangeOfFourItems.firstValue = 6
  !$ error: cannot assign to property: 'rangeOfFourItems' is a 'let' constant
  !! rangeOfFourItems.firstValue = 6
  !! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ^
  !$ note: change 'let' to 'var' to make it mutable
  !! let rangeOfFourItems = FixedLengthRange(firstValue: 0, length: 4)
  !! ^~~
  !! var
  // this will report an error, even though firstValue is a variable property
  ```
-->

Because `rangeOfFourItems` is declared as a constant (with the `let` keyword),
it isn't possible to change its `firstValue` property,
even though `firstValue` is a variable property.

This behavior is due to structures being *value types*.
When an instance of a value type is marked as a constant,
so are all of its properties.

The same isn't true for classes, which are *reference types*.
If you assign an instance of a reference type to a constant,
you can still change that instance's variable properties.

<!--
  TODO: this explanation could still do to be improved.
-->

### Lazy Stored Properties

<!--
  QUESTION: is this section too complex for this point in the book?
  Should it go in the Default Property Values section of Initialization instead?
-->

A *lazy stored property* is a property whose initial value isn't calculated
until the first time it's used.
You indicate a lazy stored property by writing
the `lazy` modifier before its declaration.

> Note: You must always declare a lazy property as a variable (with the `var` keyword),
> because its initial value might not be retrieved until
> after instance initialization completes.
> Constant properties must always have a value *before* initialization completes,
> and therefore can't be declared as lazy.

<!--
  - test: `lazyPropertiesMustAlwaysBeVariables`

  ```swifttest
  -> class C { lazy let x = 0 }
  !$ error: 'lazy' cannot be used on a let
  !! class C { lazy let x = 0 }
  !! ^~~~~
  !!-
  ```
-->

Lazy properties are useful when the initial value for a property
is dependent on outside factors whose values aren't known
until after an instance's initialization is complete.
Lazy properties are also useful when the initial value for a property requires
complex or computationally expensive setup that shouldn't be performed
unless or until it's needed.

<!--
  TODO: add a note that if you assign a value to a lazy property before first access,
  the initial value you give in your code will be ignored.
-->

The example below uses a lazy stored property to avoid
unnecessary initialization of a complex class.
This example defines two classes called `DataImporter` and `DataManager`,
neither of which is shown in full:

```swift
class DataImporter {
    /*
    DataImporter is a class to import data from an external file.
    The class is assumed to take a nontrivial amount of time to initialize.
    */
    var filename = "data.txt"
    // the DataImporter class would provide data importing functionality here
}

class DataManager {
    lazy var importer = DataImporter()
    var data: [String] = []
    // the DataManager class would provide data management functionality here
}

let manager = DataManager()
manager.data.append("Some data")
manager.data.append("Some more data")
// the DataImporter instance for the importer property hasn't yet been created
```

<!--
  - test: `lazyProperties`

  ```swifttest
  -> class DataImporter {
        /*
        DataImporter is a class to import data from an external file.
        The class is assumed to take a nontrivial amount of time to initialize.
        */
        var filename = "data.txt"
        // the DataImporter class would provide data importing functionality here
  >>    init() {
  >>       print("the DataImporter instance for the importer property has now been created")
  >>    }
     }

  -> class DataManager {
        lazy var importer = DataImporter()
        var data: [String] = []
        // the DataManager class would provide data management functionality here
     }

  -> let manager = DataManager()
  -> manager.data.append("Some data")
  -> manager.data.append("Some more data")
  // the DataImporter instance for the importer property hasn't yet been created
  ```
-->

The `DataManager` class has a stored property called `data`,
which is initialized with a new, empty array of `String` values.
Although the rest of its functionality isn't shown,
the purpose of this `DataManager` class is to manage and provide access to
this array of `String` data.

Part of the functionality of the `DataManager` class
is the ability to import data from a file.
This functionality is provided by the `DataImporter` class,
which is assumed to take a nontrivial amount of time to initialize.
This might be because a `DataImporter` instance needs to open a file
and read its contents into memory when the `DataImporter` instance is initialized.

Because it's possible for a `DataManager` instance to manage its data
without ever importing data from a file,
`DataManager` doesn't create a new `DataImporter` instance
when the `DataManager` itself is created.
Instead, it makes more sense to create the `DataImporter` instance
if and when it's first used.

Because it's marked with the `lazy` modifier,
the `DataImporter` instance for the `importer` property
is only created when the `importer` property is first accessed,
such as when its `filename` property is queried:

```swift
print(manager.importer.filename)
// the DataImporter instance for the importer property has now been created
// Prints "data.txt".
```

<!--
  - test: `lazyProperties`

  ```swifttest
  -> print(manager.importer.filename)
  </ the DataImporter instance for the importer property has now been created
  <- data.txt
  ```
-->

> Note: If a property marked with the `lazy` modifier
> is accessed by multiple threads simultaneously
> and the property hasn't yet been initialized,
> there's no guarantee that the property will be initialized only once.

<!--
  6/19/14, 10:54 PM [Contributor 7746]: @lazy isn't thread safe.  Global variables (and static struct/enum fields) *are*.
-->

### Stored Properties and Instance Variables

If you have experience with Objective-C,
you may know that it provides *two* ways
to store values and references as part of a class instance.
In addition to properties,
you can use instance variables as a backing store for the values stored in a property.

Swift unifies these concepts into a single property declaration.
A Swift property doesn't have a corresponding instance variable,
and the backing store for a property isn't accessed directly.
This approach avoids confusion about how the value is accessed in different contexts
and simplifies the property's declaration into a single, definitive statement.
All information about the property ---
including its name, type, and memory management characteristics ---
is defined in a single location as part of the type's definition.

<!--
  TODO: what happens if one property of a constant structure is an object reference?
-->

## Computed Properties

In addition to stored properties,
classes, structures, and enumerations can define *computed properties*,
which don't actually store a value.
Instead, they provide a getter and an optional setter
to retrieve and set other properties and values indirectly.

```swift
struct Point {
    var x = 0.0, y = 0.0
}
struct Size {
    var width = 0.0, height = 0.0
}
struct Rect {
    var origin = Point()
    var size = Size()
    var center: Point {
        get {
            let centerX = origin.x + (size.width / 2)
            let centerY = origin.y + (size.height / 2)
            return Point(x: centerX, y: centerY)
        }
        set(newCenter) {
            origin.x = newCenter.x - (size.width / 2)
            origin.y = newCenter.y - (size.height / 2)
        }
    }
}
var square = Rect(origin: Point(x: 0.0, y: 0.0),
    size: Size(width: 10.0, height: 10.0))
let initialSquareCenter = square.center
// initialSquareCenter is at (5.0, 5.0)
square.center = Point(x: 15.0, y: 15.0)
print("square.origin is now at (\(square.origin.x), \(square.origin.y))")
// Prints "square.origin is now at (10.0, 10.0)".
```

<!--
  - test: `computedProperties`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct Point {
        var x = 0.0, y = 0.0
     }
  -> struct Size {
        var width = 0.0, height = 0.0
     }
  -> struct Rect {
        var origin = Point()
        var size = Size()
        var center: Point {
           get {
              let centerX = origin.x + (size.width / 2)
              let centerY = origin.y + (size.height / 2)
              return Point(x: centerX, y: centerY)
           }
           set(newCenter) {
              origin.x = newCenter.x - (size.width / 2)
              origin.y = newCenter.y - (size.height / 2)
           }
        }
     }
  -> var square = Rect(origin: Point(x: 0.0, y: 0.0),
        size: Size(width: 10.0, height: 10.0))
  -> let initialSquareCenter = square.center
  /> initialSquareCenter is at (\(initialSquareCenter.x), \(initialSquareCenter.y))
  </ initialSquareCenter is at (5.0, 5.0)
  -> square.center = Point(x: 15.0, y: 15.0)
  -> print("square.origin is now at (\(square.origin.x), \(square.origin.y))")
  <- square.origin is now at (10.0, 10.0)
  ```
-->

This example defines three structures for working with geometric shapes:

- `Point` encapsulates the x- and y-coordinate of a point.
- `Size` encapsulates a `width` and a `height`.
- `Rect` defines a rectangle by an origin point and a size.

The `Rect` structure also provides a computed property called `center`.
The current center position of a `Rect` can always be determined from its `origin` and `size`,
and so you don't need to store the center point as an explicit `Point` value.
Instead, `Rect` defines a custom getter and setter for a computed variable called `center`,
to enable you to work with the rectangle's `center` as if it were a real stored property.

The example above creates a new `Rect` variable called `square`.
The `square` variable is initialized with an origin point of `(0, 0)`,
and a width and height of `10`.
This square is represented by the light green square in the diagram below.

The `square` variable's `center` property is then accessed through dot syntax (`square.center`),
which causes the getter for `center` to be called,
to retrieve the current property value.
Rather than returning an existing value,
the getter actually calculates and returns a new `Point` to represent the center of the square.
As can be seen above, the getter correctly returns a center point of `(5, 5)`.

The `center` property is then set to a new value of `(15, 15)`,
which moves the square up and to the right,
to the new position shown by the dark green square in the diagram below.
Setting the `center` property calls the setter for `center`,
which modifies the `x` and `y` values of the stored `origin` property,
and moves the square to its new position.

<!-- Apple Books screenshot begins here. -->

![](computedProperties)

### Shorthand Setter Declaration

If a computed property's setter doesn't define a name for the new value to be set,
a default name of `newValue` is used.
Here's an alternative version of the `Rect` structure
that takes advantage of this shorthand notation:

```swift
struct AlternativeRect {
    var origin = Point()
    var size = Size()
    var center: Point {
        get {
            let centerX = origin.x + (size.width / 2)
            let centerY = origin.y + (size.height / 2)
            return Point(x: centerX, y: centerY)
        }
        set {
            origin.x = newValue.x - (size.width / 2)
            origin.y = newValue.y - (size.height / 2)
        }
    }
}
```

<!--
  - test: `computedProperties`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct AlternativeRect {
        var origin = Point()
        var size = Size()
        var center: Point {
           get {
              let centerX = origin.x + (size.width / 2)
              let centerY = origin.y + (size.height / 2)
              return Point(x: centerX, y: centerY)
           }
           set {
              origin.x = newValue.x - (size.width / 2)
              origin.y = newValue.y - (size.height / 2)
           }
        }
     }
  ```
-->

<!-- Apple Books screenshot ends here. -->

### Shorthand Getter Declaration

If the entire body of a getter is a single expression,
the getter implicitly returns that expression.
Here's another version of the `Rect` structure
that takes advantage of this shorthand notation
and the shorthand notation for setters:

```swift
struct CompactRect {
    var origin = Point()
    var size = Size()
    var center: Point {
        get {
            Point(x: origin.x + (size.width / 2),
                  y: origin.y + (size.height / 2))
        }
        set {
            origin.x = newValue.x - (size.width / 2)
            origin.y = newValue.y - (size.height / 2)
        }
    }
}
```

<!--
  - test: `computedProperties`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct CompactRect {
        var origin = Point()
        var size = Size()
        var center: Point {
           get {
              Point(x: origin.x + (size.width / 2),
                    y: origin.y + (size.height / 2))
           }
           set {
              origin.x = newValue.x - (size.width / 2)
              origin.y = newValue.y - (size.height / 2)
           }
        }
     }
  ```
-->

Omitting the `return` from a getter
follows the same rules as omitting `return` from a function,
as described in <doc:Functions#Functions-With-an-Implicit-Return>.

### Read-Only Computed Properties

A computed property with a getter but no setter is known as a *read-only computed property*.
A read-only computed property always returns a value,
and can be accessed through dot syntax, but can't be set to a different value.

> Note: You must declare computed properties --- including read-only computed properties ---
> as variable properties with the `var` keyword, because their value isn't fixed.
> The `let` keyword is only used for constant properties,
> to indicate that their values can't be changed once they're set
> as part of instance initialization.

<!--
  - test: `readOnlyComputedPropertiesMustBeVariables`

  ```swifttest
  -> class C {
        let x: Int { return 42 }
        let y: Int { get { return 42 } set {} }
     }
  !! /tmp/swifttest.swift:2:15: error: 'let' declarations cannot be computed properties
  !! let x: Int { return 42 }
  !! ~~~        ^
  !! var
  !! /tmp/swifttest.swift:3:15: error: 'let' declarations cannot be computed properties
  !! let y: Int { get { return 42 } set {} }
  !! ~~~        ^
  !! var
  ```
-->

You can simplify the declaration of a read-only computed property
by removing the `get` keyword and its braces:

```swift
struct Cuboid {
    var width = 0.0, height = 0.0, depth = 0.0
    var volume: Double {
        return width * height * depth
    }
}
let fourByFiveByTwo = Cuboid(width: 4.0, height: 5.0, depth: 2.0)
print("the volume of fourByFiveByTwo is \(fourByFiveByTwo.volume)")
// Prints "the volume of fourByFiveByTwo is 40.0".
```

<!--
  - test: `computedProperties`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct Cuboid {
        var width = 0.0, height = 0.0, depth = 0.0
        var volume: Double {
           return width * height * depth
        }
     }
  -> let fourByFiveByTwo = Cuboid(width: 4.0, height: 5.0, depth: 2.0)
  -> print("the volume of fourByFiveByTwo is \(fourByFiveByTwo.volume)")
  <- the volume of fourByFiveByTwo is 40.0
  ```
-->

This example defines a new structure called `Cuboid`,
which represents a 3D rectangular box with `width`, `height`, and `depth` properties.
This structure also has a read-only computed property called `volume`,
which calculates and returns the current volume of the cuboid.
It doesn't make sense for `volume` to be settable,
because it would be ambiguous as to which values of `width`, `height`, and `depth`
should be used for a particular `volume` value.
Nonetheless, it's useful for a `Cuboid` to provide a read-only computed property
to enable external users to discover its current calculated volume.

<!--
  NOTE: getters and setters are also allowed for constants and variables
  that aren't associated with a particular class or struct.
  Where should this be mentioned?
-->

<!--
  TODO: Anything else from https://[Internal Staging Server]/docs/StoredAndComputedVariables.html
-->

<!--
  TODO: Add an example of a computed property for an enumeration
  (now that the Enumerations chapter no longer has an example of this itself).
-->

## Property Observers

Property observers observe and respond to changes in a property's value.
Property observers are called every time a property's value is set,
even if the new value is the same as the property's current value.

<!--
  - test: `observersAreCalledEvenIfNewValueIsTheSameAsOldValue`

  ```swifttest
  -> class C { var x: Int = 0 { willSet { print("willSet") } didSet { print("didSet") } } }
  -> let c = C()
  -> c.x = 24
  <- willSet
  <- didSet
  -> c.x = 24
  <- willSet
  <- didSet
  ```
-->

You can add property observers in the following places:

- Stored properties that you define
- Stored properties that you inherit
- Computed properties that you inherit

For an inherited property,
you add a property observer by overriding that property in a subclass.
For a computed property that you define,
use the property's setter to observe and respond to value changes,
instead of trying to create an observer.
Overriding properties is described in <doc:Inheritance#Overriding>.

<!--
  - test: `lazyPropertiesCanHaveObservers`

  ```swifttest
  >> class C {
        lazy var x: Int = 0 {
           willSet { print("C willSet x to \(newValue)") }
           didSet { print("C didSet x from \(oldValue)") }
        }
     }
  >> let c = C()
  >> print(c.x)
  << 0
  >> c.x = 12
  << C willSet x to 12
  << C didSet x from 0
  >> print(c.x)
  << 12
  ```
-->

<!--
  - test: `storedAndComputedInheritedPropertiesCanBeObserved`

  ```swifttest
  -> class C {
        var x = 0
        var y: Int { get { return 42 } set {} }
     }
  -> class D: C {
        override var x: Int {
           willSet { print("D willSet x to \(newValue)") }
           didSet { print("D didSet x from \(oldValue)") }
        }
        override var y: Int {
           willSet { print("D willSet y to \(newValue)") }
           didSet { print("D didSet y from \(oldValue)") }
        }
     }
  -> var d = D()
  -> d.x = 42
  <- D willSet x to 42
  <- D didSet x from 0
  -> d.y = 42
  <- D willSet y to 42
  <- D didSet y from 42
  ```
-->

You have the option to define either or both of these observers on a property:

- `willSet` is called just before the value is stored.
- `didSet` is called immediately after the new value is stored.

If you implement a `willSet` observer,
it's passed the new property value as a constant parameter.
You can specify a name for this parameter as part of your `willSet` implementation.
If you don't write the parameter name and parentheses within your implementation,
the parameter is made available with a default parameter name of `newValue`.

Similarly, if you implement a `didSet` observer,
it's passed a constant parameter containing the old property value.
You can name the parameter or use the default parameter name of `oldValue`.
If you assign a value to a property within its own `didSet` observer,
the new value that you assign replaces the one that was just set.

<!--
  - test: `assigningANewValueInADidSetReplacesTheNewValue`

  ```swifttest
  -> class C { var x: Int = 0 { didSet { x = -273 } } }
  -> let c = C()
  -> c.x = 24
  -> print(c.x)
  <- -273
  ```
-->

> Note: The `willSet` and `didSet` observers of superclass properties
> are called when a property is set in a subclass initializer,
> after the superclass initializer has been called.
> They aren't called while a class is setting its own properties
> in the body of the initializer.
>
> For more information about initializer delegation,
> see <doc:Initialization#Initializer-Delegation-for-Value-Types>
> and <doc:Initialization#Initializer-Delegation-for-Class-Types>.

<!--
  - test: `observersDuringInitialization`

  ```swifttest
  -> class C {
        var x: Int { willSet { print("willSet x") } didSet { print("didSet x") } }
        init(x: Int) { self.x = x }
     }
  -> let c = C(x: 42)
  -> c.x = 24
  <- willSet x
  <- didSet x
  -> class C2: C {
        var y: Int { willSet { print("willSet y") } didSet { print("didSet y") } }
        init() {
            self.y = 1
            print("calling super")
            super.init(x: 100)
            self.x = 10
        }
     }
  -> let c2 = C2()
  <- calling super
  <- willSet x
  <- didSet x
  ```
-->

Here's an example of `willSet` and `didSet` in action.
The example below defines a new class called `StepCounter`,
which tracks the total number of steps that a person takes while walking.
This class might be used with input data from a pedometer or other step counter
to keep track of a person's exercise during their daily routine.

```swift
class StepCounter {
    var totalSteps: Int = 0 {
        willSet(newTotalSteps) {
            print("About to set totalSteps to \(newTotalSteps)")
        }
        didSet {
            if totalSteps > oldValue  {
                print("Added \(totalSteps - oldValue) steps")
            }
        }
    }
}
let stepCounter = StepCounter()
stepCounter.totalSteps = 200
// About to set totalSteps to 200
// Added 200 steps
stepCounter.totalSteps = 360
// About to set totalSteps to 360
// Added 160 steps
stepCounter.totalSteps = 896
// About to set totalSteps to 896
// Added 536 steps
```

<!--
  - test: `storedProperties`

  ```swifttest
  -> class StepCounter {
        var totalSteps: Int = 0 {
           willSet(newTotalSteps) {
              print("About to set totalSteps to \(newTotalSteps)")
           }
           didSet {
              if totalSteps > oldValue  {
                 print("Added \(totalSteps - oldValue) steps")
              }
           }
        }
     }
  -> let stepCounter = StepCounter()
  -> stepCounter.totalSteps = 200
  </ About to set totalSteps to 200
  </ Added 200 steps
  -> stepCounter.totalSteps = 360
  </ About to set totalSteps to 360
  </ Added 160 steps
  -> stepCounter.totalSteps = 896
  </ About to set totalSteps to 896
  </ Added 536 steps
  ```
-->

The `StepCounter` class declares a `totalSteps` property of type `Int`.
This is a stored property with `willSet` and `didSet` observers.

The `willSet` and `didSet` observers for `totalSteps` are called
whenever the property is assigned a new value.
This is true even if the new value is the same as the current value.

This example's `willSet` observer uses
a custom parameter name of `newTotalSteps` for the upcoming new value.
In this example, it simply prints out the value that's about to be set.

The `didSet` observer is called after the value of `totalSteps` is updated.
It compares the new value of `totalSteps` against the old value.
If the total number of steps has increased,
a message is printed to indicate how many new steps have been taken.
The `didSet` observer doesn't provide a custom parameter name for the old value,
and the default name of `oldValue` is used instead.

> Note: If you pass a property that has observers
> to a function as an in-out parameter,
> the `willSet` and `didSet` observers are always called.
> This is because of the copy-in copy-out memory model for in-out parameters:
> The value is always written back to the property at the end of the function.
> For a detailed discussion of the behavior of in-out parameters,
> see <doc:Declarations#In-Out-Parameters>.

<!--
  - test: `observersCalledAfterInout`

  ```swifttest
  -> var a: Int = 0 {
         willSet { print("willSet") }
         didSet { print("didSet") }
     }
  -> func f(b: inout Int) { print("in f") }
  -> f(b: &a)
  << in f
  << willSet
  << didSet
  ```
-->

<!--
  TODO: If you add a property observer to a stored property of structure type,
  that property observer is fired whenever any of the subproperties
  of that structure instance are set. This is cool, but nonobvious.
  Provide an example of it here.
-->

## Property Wrappers

A property wrapper adds a layer of separation
between code that manages how a property is stored
and the code that defines a property.
For example,
if you have properties that
provide thread-safety checks
or store their underlying data in a database,
you have to write that code on every property.
When you use a property wrapper,
you write the management code once when you define the wrapper,
and then reuse that management code by applying it to multiple properties.

To define a property wrapper,
you make a structure, enumeration, or class
that defines a `wrappedValue` property.
In the code below,
the `TwelveOrLess` structure ensures that
the value it wraps always contains a number less than or equal to 12.
If you ask it to store a larger number, it stores 12 instead.

```swift
@propertyWrapper
struct TwelveOrLess {
    private var number = 0
    var wrappedValue: Int {
        get { return number }
        set { number = min(newValue, 12) }
    }
}
```

<!--
  - test: `small-number-wrapper, property-wrapper-expansion`

  ```swifttest
  -> @propertyWrapper
  -> struct TwelveOrLess {
         private var number = 0
         var wrappedValue: Int {
             get { return number }
             set { number = min(newValue, 12) }
         }
     }
  ```
-->

<!--
  No init(wrappedValue:) in this example -- that's in a later example.
  Always initializing the wrapped value is a simpler starting point.
-->

The setter ensures that new values are less than or equal to 12,
and the getter returns the stored value.

> Note: The declaration for `number` in the example above
> marks the variable as `private`,
> which ensures `number` is used only
> in the implementation of `TwelveOrLess`.
> Code that's written anywhere else
> accesses the value using the getter and setter for `wrappedValue`,
> and can't use `number` directly.
> For information about `private`, see <doc:AccessControl>.

<!--
  In this example,
  the number is stored in the wrapper's private ``number`` property,
  but you could write a version of ``EvenNumber``
  that implements ``wrappedValue`` as a stored property
  and uses ``didSet`` to ensure the number is always even.

  However, the general framing we use in the docs
  is that didSet is mostly for reacting to the new value,
  not changing it,
  so I'm not highlighting that fact here.
  The order of operations for willSet, set, and didSet is well defined,
  but might be something you have to pay attention to.
-->

<!--
  - test: `stored-property-wrappedValue`

  ```swifttest
  >> @propertyWrapper
  >> struct TwelveOrLess {
  >>     var wrappedValue: Int = 0 {
  >>         didSet {
  >>             if wrappedValue > 12 {
  >>                 wrappedValue = 12
  >>             }
  >>         }
  >>     }
  >> }
  >> struct SomeStructure {
  >>     @TwelveOrLess var someNumber: Int
  >> }
  >> var s = SomeStructure()
  >> print(s.someNumber)
  << 0
  >> s.someNumber = 10
  >> print(s.someNumber)
  << 10
  >> s.someNumber = 21
  >> print(s.someNumber)
  << 12
  ```
-->

You apply a wrapper to a property
by writing the wrapper's name before the property
as an attribute.
Here's a structure that stores a rectangle
that uses the `TwelveOrLess` property wrapper
to ensure its dimensions are always 12 or less:

```swift
struct SmallRectangle {
    @TwelveOrLess var height: Int
    @TwelveOrLess var width: Int
}

var rectangle = SmallRectangle()
print(rectangle.height)
// Prints "0".

rectangle.height = 10
print(rectangle.height)
// Prints "10".

rectangle.height = 24
print(rectangle.height)
// Prints "12".
```

<!--
  - test: `small-number-wrapper`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct SmallRectangle {
  ->     @TwelveOrLess var height: Int
  ->     @TwelveOrLess var width: Int
  -> }

  -> var rectangle = SmallRectangle()
  -> print(rectangle.height)
  <- 0

  -> rectangle.height = 10
  -> print(rectangle.height)
  <- 10

  -> rectangle.height = 24
  -> print(rectangle.height)
  <- 12
  ```
-->

The `height` and `width` properties get their initial values
from the definition of `TwelveOrLess`,
which sets `TwelveOrLess.number` to zero.
The setter in `TwelveOrLess` treats 10 as a valid value
so storing the number 10 in `rectangle.height` proceeds as written.
However, 24 is larger than `TwelveOrLess` allows,
so trying to store 24 end up setting `rectangle.height`
to 12 instead, the largest allowed value.

When you apply a wrapper to a property,
the compiler synthesizes code that provides storage for the wrapper
and code that provides access to the property through the wrapper.
(The property wrapper is responsible for storing the wrapped value,
so there's no synthesized code for that.)
You could write code that uses the behavior of a property wrapper,
without taking advantage of the special attribute syntax.
For example,
here's a version of `SmallRectangle`
from the previous code listing
that wraps its properties in the `TwelveOrLess` structure explicitly,
instead of writing `@TwelveOrLess` as an attribute:

```swift
struct SmallRectangle {
    private var _height = TwelveOrLess()
    private var _width = TwelveOrLess()
    var height: Int {
        get { return _height.wrappedValue }
        set { _height.wrappedValue = newValue }
    }
    var width: Int {
        get { return _width.wrappedValue }
        set { _width.wrappedValue = newValue }
    }
}
```

<!--
  - test: `property-wrapper-expansion`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct SmallRectangle {
         private var _height = TwelveOrLess()
         private var _width = TwelveOrLess()
         var height: Int {
             get { return _height.wrappedValue }
             set { _height.wrappedValue = newValue }
         }
         var width: Int {
             get { return _width.wrappedValue }
             set { _width.wrappedValue = newValue }
         }
     }
  ```
-->

The `_height` and `_width` properties
store an instance of the property wrapper, `TwelveOrLess`.
The getter and setter for `height` and `width`
wrap access to the `wrappedValue` property.

### Setting Initial Values for Wrapped Properties

The code in the examples above
sets the initial value for the wrapped property
by giving `number` an initial value in the definition of `TwelveOrLess`.
Code that uses this property wrapper
can't specify a different initial value for a property
that's wrapped by `TwelveOrLess` ---
for example,
the definition of `SmallRectangle`
can't give `height` or `width` initial values.
To support setting an initial value or other customization,
the property wrapper needs to add an initializer.
Here's an expanded version of `TwelveOrLess` called `SmallNumber`
that defines initializers that set the wrapped and maximum value:

```swift
@propertyWrapper
struct SmallNumber {
    private var maximum: Int
    private var number: Int

    var wrappedValue: Int {
        get { return number }
        set { number = min(newValue, maximum) }
    }

    init() {
        maximum = 12
        number = 0
    }
    init(wrappedValue: Int) {
        maximum = 12
        number = min(wrappedValue, maximum)
    }
    init(wrappedValue: Int, maximum: Int) {
        self.maximum = maximum
        number = min(wrappedValue, maximum)
    }
}
```

<!--
  - test: `property-wrapper-init, property-wrapper-mixed-init`

  ```swifttest
  -> @propertyWrapper
  -> struct SmallNumber {
         private var maximum: Int
         private var number: Int

         var wrappedValue: Int {
             get { return number }
             set { number = min(newValue, maximum) }
         }

         init() {
             maximum = 12
             number = 0
         }
         init(wrappedValue: Int) {
             maximum = 12
             number = min(wrappedValue, maximum)
         }
         init(wrappedValue: Int, maximum: Int) {
             self.maximum = maximum
             number = min(wrappedValue, maximum)
         }
     }
  ```
-->

<!--
  The initializers above could be written to use
  init(wrappedValue:maximum:) as the designated initializer,
  with the other two calling it instead of doing initialization.
  However, in this case, the initialization logic is small enough
  that the risk of bugs isn't significant,
  and the reader hasn't seen init syntax/rules in detail yet
  so it's clearer to make each init stand on its own.
-->

The definition of `SmallNumber` includes three initializers ---
`init()`, `init(wrappedValue:)`, and `init(wrappedValue:maximum:)` ---
which the examples below use
to set the wrapped value and the maximum value.
For information about initialization and initializer syntax,
see <doc:Initialization>.

When you apply a wrapper to a property and you don't specify an initial value,
Swift uses the `init()` initializer to set up the wrapper.
For example:

```swift
struct ZeroRectangle {
    @SmallNumber var height: Int
    @SmallNumber var width: Int
}

var zeroRectangle = ZeroRectangle()
print(zeroRectangle.height, zeroRectangle.width)
// Prints "0 0".
```

<!--
  - test: `property-wrapper-init`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct ZeroRectangle {
  ->     @SmallNumber var height: Int
  ->     @SmallNumber var width: Int
  -> }

  -> var zeroRectangle = ZeroRectangle()
  -> print(zeroRectangle.height, zeroRectangle.width)
  <- 0 0
  ```
-->

<!--
  - test: `property-wrapper-init`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct ZeroRectangle_equiv {
         private var _height = SmallNumber()
         private var _width = SmallNumber()
         var height: Int {
             get { return _height.wrappedValue }
             set { _height.wrappedValue = newValue }
         }
         var width: Int {
             get { return _width.wrappedValue }
             set { _width.wrappedValue = newValue }
         }
     }
  -> var zeroRectangle_equiv = ZeroRectangle_equiv()
  -> print(zeroRectangle_equiv.height, zeroRectangle_equiv.width)
  <- 0 0
  ```
-->

The instances of `SmallNumber` that wrap `height` and `width`
are created by calling `SmallNumber()`.
The code inside that initializer
sets the initial wrapped value and the initial maximum value,
using the default values of zero and 12.
The property wrapper still provides all of the initial values,
like the earlier example that used `TwelveOrLess` in `SmallRectangle`.
Unlike that example,
`SmallNumber` also supports writing those initial values
as part of declaring the property.

When you specify an initial value for the property,
Swift uses the `init(wrappedValue:)` initializer to set up the wrapper.
For example:

```swift
struct UnitRectangle {
    @SmallNumber var height: Int = 1
    @SmallNumber var width: Int = 1
}

var unitRectangle = UnitRectangle()
print(unitRectangle.height, unitRectangle.width)
// Prints "1 1".
```

<!--
  - test: `property-wrapper-init`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct UnitRectangle {
  ->     @SmallNumber var height: Int = 1
  ->     @SmallNumber var width: Int = 1
  -> }

  -> var unitRectangle = UnitRectangle()
  -> print(unitRectangle.height, unitRectangle.width)
  <- 1 1
  ```
-->

<!--
  - test: `property-wrapper-init`

  ```swifttest
  -> struct UnitRectangle_equiv {
         private var _height = SmallNumber(wrappedValue: 1)
         private var _width = SmallNumber(wrappedValue: 1)
         var height: Int {
             get { return _height.wrappedValue }
             set { _height.wrappedValue = newValue }
         }
         var width: Int {
             get { return _width.wrappedValue }
             set { _width.wrappedValue = newValue }
         }
     }
  -> var unitRectangle_equiv = UnitRectangle_equi

…(truncated)