Protected Access Specifier in Java – A Quick Guide

Updated on October 28, 2024

Article Outline

What is an Access Specifier?What is a Protected Access Specifier?Syntax for Protected Access Specifier in Java Examples of Protected Access Specifiers in Java Characteristics of Protected Access Specifier Disadvantages of the Protected Access Specifier Conclusion FAQs

Java is an object-oriented programming language that emphasizes encapsulation, one of the core principles of OOP. Access specifiers, or access modifiers, are keywords that determine the visibility of classes, methods, and variables. In Java, there are four primary access specifiers: public, private, protected, and package-private (default). The protected specifier plays a crucial role in inheritance and access control. This article delves into the protected access specifier, its characteristics, and its practical implications.

What is an Access Specifier?

An access specifier in Java is an identifier that determines the scope of how classes, methods, and variables are implemented. It regulates how these elements can be reached from other program subsystems, essential in encapsulation. Four default access specifiers are strongly recognized, namely public, which grants access from any class in any package. Private, which permits access to the same class only; protected, which permits access within the class and in the same package of any subclass. Default or package-private only gives access within the same package as long as no specifier is declared. These specifiers regulate communication between program components and control and shield information that should not be exposed for modification or access.

Access Specifier	Within Class	Within Package	Outside Package by Subclass only	Outside Package
Private	Y	N	N	N
Default	Y	Y	N	N
Protected	Y	Y	Y	N
Public	Y	Y	Y	Y

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What is a Protected Access Specifier?

A protected access specifier is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming language that defines the accessibility of class members (attributes and methods). When a member is declared protected, it can be accessed within the class itself and by any subclasses inherited from it, promoting a controlled level of access. This means that while derived classes can utilize and extend the functionality of protected members, these members remain hidden from external source code, enhancing encapsulation. The protected access specifier balances provide visibility for subclassing and maintain the integrity of the class’s internal workings, ensuring that sensitive data and methods are not exposed to the outside world.

Syntax for Protected Access Specifier in Java

Here’s the syntax for using the protected access specifier.

class Animal{

protected String name ;

protected void makeSound(){

System.out.println("Animal Sound");

}

}

class Dog extends Animal{

public void displayInfo() {

name="Neeraj Kumar" ;

makeSound();

System.out.println("Dog's name ="+name);

}

}

class Cat extends Animal{

public void displayInfo(){

name="Whiskers" ;

makeSound();

System.out.println("Cat's name"+name) ;

}

}

class Main{

public static void main(String args[]){

Dog dog = new Dog() ;

dog.displayInfo();

Cat cat = new Cat() ;

cat.displayInfo()  ;

}

}

Output

Animal Sound

Dog's name =Neeraj Kumar

Animal Sound

Cat's nameWhiskers

Examples of Protected Access Specifiers in Java

Let’s look at some examples of protected access specifiers in Java language.

Example 1

Program

class Animal{

protected String name ;

protected void makeSound(){

System.out.println("Animal makes the sound");

}

}

class Dog extends Animal{

void setName(String newName){

name = newName ;

}

void makeAnimalSound(){

makeSound();

}

}

class Main{

public static void main(String args[]){

Dog dog = new Dog() ;

dog.setName("Buddy");

dog.makeAnimalSound();

System.out.println("Dog name"+dog.name);

}

}

Output

Animal makes the sound

Dog nameBuddy

Example 2
Program

class Animal{

protected String name ;

protected void makeSound(){

System.out.println("Animal makes Sound") ;

}

}

class Dog extends Animal{

void setName(String newName) {

name = newName ;

}

void makeAnimalSound(){

makeSound();

}

}

class Main{

public static void main(String []args){

Dog dog = new Dog()  ;

dog.setName("Buddy") ;

dog.makeAnimalSound();

System.out.println("Dog Name"+dog.name);

}

}

Output

Animal makes Sound

Dog NameBuddy

Example 3

Program

class Animal{

protected String name ;

protected void makeSound(){

System.out.println("Animal makes Sound");

}

}

class Dog{

Animal animal = new Animal() ;

void setAnimalName(String newName){

animal.name = newName ;

}

void makeAnimalSound(){

animal.makeSound();

}

}

class Main{

public static void main(String args[]){

Dog  dog = new Dog() ;

dog.setAnimalName("Buddy") ;

dog.makeAnimalSound() ;

System.out.println("Animal Name = "+dog.animal.name) ;

}

}

Output

Animal makes Sound

Animal Name = Buddy

Characteristics of Protected Access Specifier

Let’s discuss the characteristics of Protected Access Specifier

Within the Same Package: The members marked as protected are accessible to all classes within the same package, just like package-private members (no access modifier).
Subclass Access: The protected classes are accessible to all classes within the same package, just like private members (no access modifier).
Not Accessible by Non-Subclass in Different Packages: Classes not subclasses in different packages cannot be access-protected.
Inheritance: The protected members can be inherited by subclasses. This facilitates polymorphism and allows subclasses to build upon the functionality of their parent classes.

Disadvantages of the Protected Access Specifier

Let’s see some disadvantages of the Protected Access Specifier.

Limited Encapsulation: The protected members can be accessed by all subclasses, even those in different packages. It can lead to unintentional dependencies and reduce the encapsulation of the parent class.

Not Suitable for APIs: Using protected can lead to maintenance challenges, as clients using the API may unintentionally depend on protected members.

Testing Challenge: Testing subclasses that rely heavily on protected members can be tricky, as it may not always be clear which members should be tested or mocked.

Also Read: Java Interview Questions and Answers

Conclusion

The protected access specifier plays a vital role in managing the visibility of class members. This allows variables and methods to be accessed within the same package and by subclasses, even if they reside in different packages. This access level balances encapsulation and flexibility, enabling subclasses to inherit and utilize protected members while restricting access from unrelated classes. It is particularly useful in base classes where certain properties or methods should be visible to derived classes but hidden from others. The protected access specifier fosters better source code organization and reuse in object-oriented programming. It promotes a structured approach to inheritance and encapsulation. Want to explore Java in depth? Check out Hero Vired’s Certificate Program in Full Stack Development.

FAQs

Can a constructor be protected?

Yes, a constructor can be protected, which restricts the class's instantiation to subclasses and classes within the same package.

Can static members be declared as protected?

Yes, a final class can have protected members, but it cannot be subclassed, making the access control less relevant in that context.

Can you use the protected keyword with enum constants?

No, enum constants cannot be protected. They are implicitly public and static.

Do inner classes inherit protected members?

Yes, inner classes can access protected members of their enclosing class.

Is it possible to declare a method as protected and static at the same time?

Yes, a method can be protected and static, following the same access rules as instance methods.

Can a protected member be accessed using an object of the superclass?

Yes, as long as the accessing class is within the same package or is a subclass.

Updated on October 28, 2024

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