Access Modifier

An access modifier is a piece of code used to specify the access permissions of a name.

Related concepts:  Name

Closest Wikipedia entry:  Access modifiers — Access modifiers (or access specifiers) are keywords in object-oriented languages that set the accessibility of classes, methods, and other members. Access modifiers are a specific part of programming language syntax used to facilitate the encapsulation of components.In C++, there are only three access modifiers. C# extends the number of them to six, while Java has four access modifiers, but three keywords for this purpose.

Misconceptions about Access Modifier

5 documented Misconceptions

ControlledLocalAccess — Java

One can control access to local variables using access modifiers

PrivateFieldsImplyImmutability — Java

A class where all fields are private is immutable

PrivateFromOtherInstance — Java

An object cannot access private members of other objects of the same class

PrivateFromStatic — Java

Static methods cannot access private members of instances of same class

PrivateMeansFinal — Java

A private field cannot be changed