Private modifier

Definition

The private modifier is an access modifier in object-oriented programming languages that restricts access to members (variables and methods) within a class. Private members can only be accessed from within the same class they are declared in.

Related terms

Public Modifier: The public modifier is another access modifier that allows unrestricted access to members from any other part of the program.

Protected Modifier: The protected modifier grants access to members within the same package or subclasses outside the package but restricts access from unrelated classes.

Default Modifier (Package-private): When no explicit access modifier is specified, members have default access within the same package but are inaccessible from outside the package.