[ns] functions and variables

["Madhan Mohan" <madhan80@eth.net>]

Hi

In  ns I find that many classes employ 2 methods to access a variable . One
directly and the
other through a inline function. eg in struct hdr_cmn we have direction_ and
also direction( )
And many codes use only the 2nd method i.e. the function.Why is this done?

Madhan Mohan