Does Java have a "private protected" access modifier?

java

access-control

best-practices

java-8

byNikita Barsukov·Feb 5, 2025

In Java, there's no private protected combo. Instead, we have protected, which lets subclasses within the same package and subclasses outside of it have a good time with it. In other words:

package packageParty;

public class Parent {
    protected void display() {
        // 'display()' turning on the disco light!
    }
}

class Child extends Parent {
    // Child dancing under 'display()' disco light!
}

What's the party scene like outside the package? Subclasses can still join the protected dance.

package packageClub;
import packageParty.Parent;

public class ExternalChild extends Parent {
    // Getting groovy with 'display()'!
}

Let's get on the same page: protected is tougher than public but more outgoing than private.

A blast from the past: Understanding Java's early days

Influenced by its predecessor, Oak Language, early Java drafts toyed with private protected. However, on its official launch, Java said "Bye, Felicia!" to private protected for the better.

Why did Java pull the plug on "private protected"?

Complexity-crisis: It brought overwhelming complexity to access control, leaving developers scratching their heads.
Harmony havoc: It threatened Java's serene access control hierarchy, complicating an otherwise straightforward structure.
Security scare: Any ambiguity in access control is a budding security risk.

Common myths about "private protected"

Old-school tutorials: Don't be misled by outdated lessons mentioning private protected. They're historical relics than factual source.
Access modifier misuse: Misconceptions may lead to programming faux pas, like compilation errors or faulty access control.

Embracing simplicity: The 'protection' dilemmas in Java

Exploring the access control mechanism in Java

Java's access control strategy follows the "keep it simple, silly" (!KISS) principle:

Public: Everyone's invited, no restrictions.
Protected: Step in, subclasses! Even if you're from a different package.
Package-private (no modifier): Only for package folks, outsiders beware!
Private: Strictly for self-use. Talk about being an introvert!

Why "private protected" doesn't fit Java's philosophy

If included, private protected would blur the boundary between private and protected. It's like baking an apple pie using oranges — it doesn't just mix well! Java's current modifiers offer a capable system, balancing inheritance (protected) and encapsulation (private).

The importance of right access controls

Best practices: Correct use of access modifiers ensure proper encapsulation—the foundation for robust and maintainable code.
In design patterns: Be it Singleton or Factory, using the right modifier is key to implement design patterns correctly.

Legacy jargon vs simplified semantics

Java banishing private protected is more about axing an anomaly than missing a feature. By deliberating excluding it, Java lets simplicity dominate, a key aspect of successful programming languages.

The onus is on the developers

As developers, understanding the distinct access controls of Java is paramount:

Protected: When inheritance is the game, and you want subclasses from other packages joining the fun, protected shines.
Package-private: The silent protector in the shadows. It's not explicitly declared ("no modifier"), but it's there, guarding member's access strictly within its package.
Preventing the pitfall: Let's keep private protected as part of Java's "Ghostbusters" folklore, and focus on practical, existing modifiers.

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