Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The public access modifier is used in object-oriented programming to allow unrestricted visibility of a variable or method. It means that the variable or method can be accessed and modified from anywhere, including outside the class.
In Java, a class is a blueprint for creating objects that defines its properties (variables) and behaviors (methods). Public access modifiers are often used to make classes accessible from anywhere.
Main Method: The main method serves as an entry point for Java programs. It must be declared as public so that it can be accessed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) when executing the program.
Access Control: Access control refers to mechanisms provided by programming languages to restrict access to certain parts of code. Public access modifier is one form of access control that allows unrestricted visibility and accessibility.