Java Style Question

["Eyers, Daniel" <daniel.eyers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Something I've been thinking about....

For a class that has instance variables, I tend to use private variables and 
getter/setter methods for access. In the
class itself, however, I'm wondering which makes sense, to use the 
getter/setters within the class itself, *or* to
access the variables directly.  I guess I'm sort of torn because I can make a 
case for each method.  Obviously, using
the getter/setters creates additional overhead *but* using them within the 
class seems to be more roboust.

Additionally, I tend to consider creating a generic method to add a certain 
functionality, then create methods that
overload by adding (or removing) parameters.

Here what I mean....

Let's say I have a right justification method (much like Aaron's, actually ;-) 
)  and for a certain type of data,   the
data is expected to be 8 characters.  So.....

<code>
public String rightJustify(String s, int length) {
        (insert your favorite code here)
}
</code>

and then

<code>
public String rightJustify(String s) {
        return rightJustify(s,8);
}
</code>

Any comments on either technique would be welcome...  I'd like to some 
different points of view to help me decide the
merits of these techniques....

thanks

dan