resources - Java - Global variables vs Global methods

Question

I was looking into a project whit 5000+ classes, then I see this in each class:

private static int foo = 1;

private static void setfoo(int value)
{
     foo = value;
}

private static int getfoo()
{
     return foo;
}

so, I think why dont use a global variable and set it if anyway is static.

There is a resource use difference between global methods and variables?

Thanks you.

Answer 1

Getters and Setters are useful, if you e.g want to add validation in the future (or add logging, or make access statistics or ...)