What are access specifiers in C++?

What are access specifiers in C++?

Access specifiers in C++ define the accessibility of class members. The three main types are public, private, and protected.

Can you give me examples of each access specifier?

Sure!

1. Public: Members are accessible from outside the class.

   class MyClass {
   public:
       int myPublicVar;
   };
   

2. Private: Members are accessible only within the class.

   class MyClass {
   private:
       int myPrivateVar;
   };
   

3. Protected: Members are accessible within the class and by derived classes.

   class Base {
   protected:
       int myProtectedVar;
   };
   

What happens if I don't specify an access specifier?

If you don't specify an access specifier, the default is 'private' for class members and 'public' for struct members.

Can you explain the difference between public and private in more detail?

Certainly! Public members can be accessed from anywhere in the program, while private members can only be accessed by the class itself, ensuring encapsulation.