What Is Protected Keyword in Java

Protected keyword in Java refers to one of its access modifiers. The methods or data members declared as protected can be accessed from: Within the same class. Subclasses of same packages. Different classes of same packages.

What does the protected keyword do?

The protected keyword specifies access to class members in the member-list up to the next access specifier ( public or private ) or the end of the class definition. Class members declared as protected can be used only by the following: … Direct privately derived classes that also have private access to protected members.

What is protected vs private?

private: The type or member can be accessed only by code in the same class or struct . protected: The type or member can be accessed only by code in the same class , or in a class that is derived from that class .