public function getPrefix()
    {
        $returnValue = (string) '';

        
        
        //prevent to use empty prefix. By default the name is used!
        if(empty($this->prefix) && !empty($this->name)){
        	$this->prefix = $this->name . '_';
        }
        
        $returnValue = $this->prefix;
        
        

        return (string) $returnValue;
    }