Java Modifiers - Introduction to Java Programming: Comprehensive Version - page 1270

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Java Modifiers

Modifiers are used on classes and class members (constructors, methods, data, and class-level
blocks), but the final modifier can also be used on local variables in a method. A modifier
that can be applied to a class is called a class modifier . A modifier that can be applied to a
method is called a method modifier . A modifier that can be applied to a data field is called a
data modifier . A modifier that can be applied to a class-level block is called a block modifier .
The following table gives a summary of the Java modifiers.

Modifier Class Constructor Method Data Block Explanation

(default) *

A class, constructor, method,
or data field is visible in this
package.

U U U U U

A class, constructor, method,
or data field is visible to all the
programs in any package.

public U U U U

private U U U A constructor, method, or data

field is only visible in this class.

protected A constructor, method, or data

field is visible in this package
and in subclasses of this class in
any package.

U U U

static U U U Define a class method, a class

data field, or a static initializa-
tion block.

final U U U A final class cannot be

extended. A final method cannot
be modified in a subclass.
A final data field is a constant.

An abstract class must be
extended. An abstract method
must be implemented in a con-
crete subclass.

abstract U U

native A native method indicates that

the method is implemented
using a language other than
Java.

U

* Default access doesn't have a modiier associated with it. For example: class Test {}

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