• On October 5, 2021
• By Karmehavannan
• 0 Comment
• Categories: Access modifiers, Keyword in Java
• Tags: Java language, keyword in Java

The protected keyword in Java programming language

tends The protected keyword in Java programming language

In this tutorial, we will discuss about the protected keyword in java programming language

protected is a keyword in java programming language and an access modifier. This keyword can be used  to define a method or a variable of a class.

When a variable or a method is declared as protected, it can be accessed from

• within the enclosing class
• other class in the same package as in enclosing class
• sub class , regardless of packages

Note – When a variable is marked as public, it can be used and accessed from enclosing class and outside classes

Variable(protected)

Syntax

Syntax of the protected keyword in Java variable

<access modifier> <Variable_type> <variable_name>;

Example

protected String stu_name; // this is a protected variable.  It can be invoked from other classes in the same package as its enclosing class.

Note – when a method is marked as protected, it can be executed from another class in the same package as in enclosing class

 

Program

Protected variable in same package

package sch;
public class school{
protected int marks;
}

The following class in the same package named as package sch;

package sch;
public class student{
void getMarks(){
school sc=new school();
sc.marks=56;  //access protected variable in same package
}
}

 

The following class in the different package. but it inherits (extends) studentclass  properties. Hence it can access the variable age directly.

package sch1;
import sch.school
public class student extends school{
void getmarks(){
school sc=new school();
sc.marks=56;  //you can access the protected variable in the 
                //different package of only from inherited class
}
}

Different package and no inheritance

following class is in different package you cannot access the variable marks directly

package sch1;
import sch.school
public class student_Two{
void getMarks(){
school sc=new school();
sc.marks=56;  //you cannot access the protected variable in the 
                           //different package of only from inherited class
}
}

Methods-(protected)

Syntax

Syntax of the protected key word in Java methods

<access modifier> <Variable_type> <method_name>();

Example

protected void run() {

}// this is a protected method. It can be invoked from the same package enclosing classes.

There are other Java language keywords that are similar to the this keyword

public keyword in Java

private keyword in java

Suggested for you

access modifier In the Java programming language

Data type and variable in Java language

Method in Java language

 

Keywords in Java language

Keywords in C++ language

Keywords in C language

Keywords in Python language