'protected' modifier

[jibs parap]

For a subclass inside the package, the protected member can be accessed through inheritance as well as using a reference.
Is it true or false?

Thanks

[Devi Sri]

A protected member can be accessed through inheritance in the subclass , either in the same package or a different package.

But we cannot access a protected member through reference , even in the same package.

[Sireesha Mullapudi]

Hi,

In the same package it can be accessed with super class reference.But the subclass-outside-package can't acces it through super class reference.

Just try it with simple code.

Thanks

[Burkhard Hassel]

Objection, your honor!

devisri nanubala wrote:

But we cannot access a protected member through reference , even in the same package.

Sure you can. In the same pack protected members are full visible. Check this, all three classes in the same pack (and file): referenced without inheritance.

package apackage;
 
class Main {
public static void main(String... args) {
new B().bar();
}
}
class A {
protected double d=2.2342;
protected void foo(){
System.out.println("foo!");
}
}
class B {
void bar() {
A a = new A();
a.foo(); 
System.out.println(a.d);
}
}

Compiles and prints
foo!
2.2342

The difference between reference and inheritance shows only in different packages.


Yours,
Bu.

[jibs parap]

Thanks very much for the quick responses..Much appreciated.

[Devi Sri]

Thankyou Burkhard for your correction.

I apologize for my mistake.

[Burkhard Hassel]

Devisri Nanubala wrote

Thankyou Burkhard

De nada, rancheiro.

Nothing to apoligize about.

I find the word "protected" totally misleading by the way.
...Does not have to do really with this thread but as protected is an access level keyword, one may think, that it protects the access in a way. In a way that it reduces it.
But in reality, it widens the access (rather than protecting it), i.e. to inherited members in other packages.
Example:

abstract class Jumpable {
protected abstract void jump();
}
class Frog extends Jumpable {
void jump() {
}
}

Frog does not compile, because of reduced visibility.

I find it just strange, that "default" is less visible than "protected". But that's only about the naming.

Bu.