access specifiers in c#

In C#, access specifiers (also called access modifiers) control the visibility and accessibility of classes, methods, properties, and other members. They define who can access a class or member. Here’s a clear explanation for your forum answer:

1. public

• Accessible from anywhere in the project or other assemblies.

public class MyClass
{
    public int MyValue; // accessible anywhere
}

 Use it when you want the member to be visible everywhere.

2. private

• Accessible only within the containing class.

class MyClass
{
    private int myValue; // accessible only inside MyClass
}

 Default for class members. Use for encapsulation.

3. protected

• Accessible within the containing class and derived classes (inheritance).

class BaseClass
{
    protected int myValue;
}

class DerivedClass : BaseClass
{
    void Test()
    {
        myValue = 10; // OK
    }
}

4. internal

• Accessible only within the same assembly/project.

internal class MyClass
{
    internal int myValue;
}

 Useful for library code that should not be exposed outside the project.

5. protected internal

• Accessible from derived classes or within the same assembly.

protected internal int myValue;

 Combines protected + internal.

6. private protected (C# 7.2+)

• Accessible only within the containing class or derived classes in the same assembly.

private protected int myValue;

 More restrictive than protected internal.

Quick Summary Table

Access Specifier	Same Class	Derived Class	Same Assembly	Other Assembly
private	?	?	?	?
protected	?	?	?	?
internal	?	?	?	?
protected internal	?	?	?	? (only derived)
private protected	?	?	?	?
public	?	?	?	?

In C#, access specifiers (or access modifiers) decide who can use a class, method, or variable.

Here are the main ones:

1. public → Anyone can access it.

2. private → Only inside the same class.

3. protected → Inside the same class + child (derived) classes.

4. internal → Only inside the same project/assembly.

5. protected internal → Inside the same project + child classes (even if child is in another project).

6. private protected → Inside the same class + child classes, but only if they’re in the same project.

Hello Mickel,

Please refer this common oops interview artile where I have explained access specifier in detail with example,

Access Specifier in C# with Example

public class Car

{

    private string engineNumber;           // Only accessible within Car

    protected int speed;                   // Accessible in Car and derived classes

    internal string model;                 // Accessible within the same assembly

    protected internal string color;       // Accessible in same assembly or derived classes

    private protected string ownerName;    // Accessible in same assembly and derived classes only

 

    public void StartEngine()              // Accessible from anywhere

    {

        Console.WriteLine("Engine started");

    }

}