[197] in java-interest
Re: non-public classes in packages
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Arthur van Hoff)
Mon Jun 5 20:55:03 1995
Date: Mon, 5 Jun 1995 16:47:27 -0700
From: Arthur.Vanhoff@Eng.Sun.COM (Arthur van Hoff)
To: java-interest@java.Eng.Sun.COM
Hi,
> A private class should not be visible or accessible outside the package.
>
> However, a private method or instance variable is visible but not accessible
> outside the class. Arthur van Hoff (avh@eng.sun.com)
>
> I've already reported the JavaSpec.'s lack of any definition for a private
> class (or interface), but since the above appears to define it for me, am
> I now to assume that the default case is identical to private, i.e., that:
>
> class C ...
> and
> private class C ...
>
> both limit the class's visibility and access to the current package? And
> is the same true for interfaces?
Yes. Private is the default. Actually, you are not supposed to use the
"private" modifier because it is confusing. A private class does not
mean: it can only be accessed by this class (unlike private variables
an methods). Instead it means: it can only be accessed from this
package.
The class is still visible outside the package. However, the compiler
should not complain if there is an ambiguity between a public and a
private class (it should use the public one, I think that is currently
broken).
> Also, if private variables and methods are visible outside the package,
> they still pollute the namespace of any package that imports them!?! Is
> this really the case? I could see "protected" wanting to act this way
> perhaps, but not private. Arthur, can you clarify these points?
The are visible in the sense that when you try to access a private
variable or method the compiler will say "oops, that is private"
instead of "oops, that does not exist". private classes/methods/variables
should not pollute the name space.
Have fun,
Arthur van Hoff (avh@eng.sun.com)
http://java.sun.com/people/avh/
Sun Microsystems Inc, M/S UPAL02-301,
100 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto CA 94301, USA
Tel: +1 415 473 7242, Fax: +1 415 473 7104
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