Java accessors/mutators - programming form
<p>I'm just starting a project that involves making some AI for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hex_%28board_game%29" rel="nofollow">hex</a>.</p>

<p>I've been made to use java, a language which I have very little experience with.</p>

<p>I have a couple questions regarding accessors and mutators.  </p>

<ol>
<li>What are the benefits of using accessors/mutators? I don't understand the point</li>
<li>I have a board, that consists of tiles.  I have made a board class and tile class.  A board object consists of a multidimensional array of tiles.  Should the mutator for tiles in the board class set the array, or each individual tile within the array by taking two extra arguments for coordinates? What is better programming form?</li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks</p>
