What are the differences between public and private methods in programming?

What are the differences between public and private methods in programming?

Public methods can be accessed from outside the class, while private methods can only be accessed within the class itself.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! A public method might be a function that retrieves user data, while a private method could be a helper function that processes that data internally.

Why would I want to use private methods?

Private methods help encapsulate functionality, keeping the internal workings of a class hidden and reducing complexity.

Are there any exceptions to this rule?

Yes, in some languages, you can use reflection or specific design patterns to access private methods, but it's generally discouraged.