protected

Summary

The protected keyword modifies access. If a member is declared protected, it can be accessed from within the class/module it was declared and from any subclasses or submodules.

Syntax

protected member

Parameters

member: The member to make 'protected'.

Description

The protected keyword is an access modifier. It is used to change the visibility and access privilege for a member.

For classes, if a class member is declared protected, it can be accessed from within the class it was declared and all subclasses, inner classes, and nested classes.

For modules, if a module member is declared protected, it can be accessed from within the module it was declared and all children/submodules.

Examples

Protected Field

class Foo
{
    protected int bar = 1;
}

Protected Method

class Foo
{
    protected int bar()
    {
        return 1;
    }
}

Protected Submodule

module Foo
{
    protected module Bar
    {
    }
}