Java Access Modifiers

Here a list of access modifiers in Java and what they entails if you decide to use them.

Restrictive spectrum

Least ← — — — →Most

Private, Default, Protected, Public

Private:

• only accessible inside a class

Default (no access modifier specified):

• accessible inside class, same package class and subclass

Protected:

• same as default with the addition of accessibility inside other package subclasses

Public:

• accessible everywhere

The following are access modifiers that doesn’t really pertain to the restriction rules above and can be used in conjunction with the access modifiers above.

Static:

• methods can only have access to other static methods and fields of the class

Final:

• used to create constant variables
• prevent method overriding
• prevent inheritance