When should I use private vs protected variables in programming?

Can you explain the difference between private and protected variables?

Sure! Private variables are accessible only within the class they are declared in, while protected variables can be accessed in the class and its subclasses.

When should I use protected variables instead of private?

Use protected variables when you want to allow subclasses to access and modify them, promoting code reuse.

Can you give me an example of each?

Of course! In a class Animal, a private variable could be private int age;, while a protected variable could be protected String species;.

Are there any downsides to using protected variables?

Yes, using protected variables can lead to tighter coupling between classes, making your code less flexible.