getAttributename

getAttributename is a programming utility concept used to retrieve the value of a named attribute from an object, map, or data structure. The function typically accepts at least two arguments: the target object and the attribute name as a string. Many implementations also allow a default value that is returned when the attribute is not present.

In practice, getAttributename serves as a generic accessor that can operate across different data representations, including objects with properties, dictionaries, or records. It is often described as a wrapper or abstraction around language-specific attribute access, providing a uniform mechanism for dynamic or reflective access where the attribute name is determined at runtime.

Common design considerations include how to handle missing attributes, whether to raise an error or return a default value, and whether to support nested paths such as "address.city" or "settings[0].name". Some implementations offer simple dot-path parsing, while others strictly require exact top-level attribute names. Performance and security considerations may influence whether the function allows access to private or non-enumerable attributes.

Examples of related concepts include the Python built-in getattr, JavaScript property access, and reflection facilities in various languages. getAttributename is often used in data transformation, deserialization, templating, and object-relational mapping, where attribute names are supplied dynamically rather than hard-coded.

See also: getattr, dynamic attribute access, reflection, property access.