Access modifiers

In object-oriented programming (OOP) languages, access modifiers are keywords that define the visibility of classes and their members (such as fields, properties, and methods) and, in some cases, the class itself. These modifiers regulate how much of a program can use members or classes.

Different programming languages may use different keywords for access modifiers, but the basic concepts are similar. Here are common access modifiers:

1. Public access modifier:

Members marked as public are accessible from any part of the program.

Public access modfier example in Java language:

class MyClass {
public:
    int myPublicField;

    void myPublicMethod() {
        cout<<"Welcome to EasyExamNotes.com";
    }
};

2. Private access modifier:

Members marked as private are only accessible within the same class. They are not accessible from outside the class.

Private access modifier example in C++ language:

class MyClass {
private:
    int myPrivateField;
public:
    void setPrivateField(int value) {
        myPrivateField = value;
    }
};

3. Protected access modifier:

Members marked as protected are accessible within the same class and its subclasses (derived classes).

Protected access modifier example in C++:

class MyBaseClass {
protected:
    int myProtectedField;
};

class MyDerivedClass : public MyBaseClass {
public:
    void AccessProtectedField() {
        myProtectedField = 10; // Accessible in the derived class
    }
};