inner class private method

[preeti khane]

 
public class Test009
    {    
        public static void main(String args[])
        {
            Test009.Inner inner1=new Test009().new Inner(); //1      
            Inner inner2=new Test009().new Inner();         //2
            inner2.method();                                //3
        }
        class Inner 
        {
            private void method()
            {
                System.out.println("0");
            }        
        }
    }
 

Shouldn't the compiler complain on accessing the private method of the inner class at line 3? I know it doesn't but curious as to why? Usually private methods are not accessible outside the class definition....what makes this inner class different?

[G Nadeem]

Hi,
that is right. however enclosing classes can access private members of the nested classes. as nested classes/inner classes are there to serve the enclosing object (Kathy), so it make sense.
so as the code is being accessed within Test009, its valid. if u try to access this method out side Test009, u will get exactly what u said. i.e compile time error stating the method is private.
class Test{
public static void main(String [] s){
Test009.Inner inner1=new Test009().new Inner();
inner1.method();//Oooops...
}
}
[ June 06, 2003: Message edited by: G Nadeem ]