In the java rule round-up game the answer to question #208: "Can an object access a private variable of another object of the same class?" is set to "Yes". How is that possible? Seems to me that the answer should be "No".
Originally posted by Skantha Kandiah: In the java rule round-up game the answer to question #208: "Can an object access a private variable of another object of the same class?" is set to "Yes". How is that possible? Seems to me that the answer should be "No".
The clue is in the words "same class". Private means that the variable is private to that class.
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Hi! Skhantha, Well U missed the "same class" like pointed out... but u r a little right the object1 cannot get the value or change that of the private variable of object2 even if they are objects of the same class. Regds Gautham Kasinath
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Actually they can. Private variables are private to the class not the object. If object1 and object2 are both objects of the same class, then object1 can change the private variables of object2.
I wrote a simple program in Java to check this. Looks like the private access specifier applies to the class and not to the object... so two objects instantiated from the same class can access and modify each others private variables. Amazing! Next time I have a similar question I will post it on the other Forum. Thanks, Skantha