Java Access Modifiers

Java access modifiers

Created By: chatGPT

Access modifiers in Java are keywords that determine the visibility of classes, methods, and variables. There are four types of access modifiers in Java: public, protected, default, and private. Each of these modifiers plays a crucial role in encapsulation and data hiding.

The public modifier allows a class, method, or variable to be accessible from any other class in any package. It is the least restrictive modifier.

public class Example {
    public int publicVariable;
    public void publicMethod() {
        // logic here
    }
}

The protected modifier grants access to classes in the same package as well as subclasses in different packages. This modifier is often used in inheritance scenarios.

protected class Example {
    protected int protectedVariable;
    protected void protectedMethod() {
        // logic here
    }
}

The default access modifier (no keyword is specified) restricts access to the class, method, or variable within its own package. It is used when you want to limit visibility, but still enable access within a package.

class Example {
    int defaultVariable;
    void defaultMethod() {
        // logic here
    }
}

The private modifier makes a class, method, or variable accessible only within its own class. This is the most restrictive modifier and is used to achieve full encapsulation.

class Example {
    private int privateVariable;
    private void privateMethod() {
        // logic here
    }
}

To summarize, understanding these access modifiers is essential in Java for designing classes and maintaining data integrity. Choosing the right access modifier is key to protecting sensitive data while providing needed access for the intended users.