There are two obvious ways in C to provide outside access to internal attribute values (A) provide a generic interface that accepts a list of attributes that changes over time (some added / some die) or (B) a specific interface for each and every attribute. Example A: int x_get_attribute_value(ATT att) { if (a) return a_val; if (b) return b_val; } Example B: A_Enum x_get_a_type_attribute() {} B_Enum x_get_b_type_attribute() {} I recall that Eclipse's API is very much like A (I could be wrong). What I can't do is come up with a compelling argument against either. A is clean - any user will no where to go to find out a property value. It can evolve cleanly without leaving dead interfaces around. B has type checking to a degree - this is C enums! Is there a big hitter argument that pushes the balance away from opinion?