Which access modifier restricts access to the same class only?

Which access modifier restricts access to the same class only?

• A. public
• B. protected
• C. default
• D. private

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is how access modifiers control where a class member can be used. The most restrictive modifier restricts access to the declaring class itself. A member marked with this modifier cannot be accessed from any other class, not even from classes in the same package or subclass. This level of encapsulation protects internal details and ensures they can only be used by the class that defines them. In practical terms, a private member is like a secret that only the class itself can read or modify. Public members, by contrast, are visible everywhere; protected members can be accessed by subclasses (and, depending on the language, other classes in the same package); and the default (no modifier) level generally allows access within the same package or module. Therefore, the modifier that restricts access to the same class only is private.

The concept being tested is how access modifiers control where a class member can be used. The most restrictive modifier restricts access to the declaring class itself. A member marked with this modifier cannot be accessed from any other class, not even from classes in the same package or subclass. This level of encapsulation protects internal details and ensures they can only be used by the class that defines them.

In practical terms, a private member is like a secret that only the class itself can read or modify. Public members, by contrast, are visible everywhere; protected members can be accessed by subclasses (and, depending on the language, other classes in the same package); and the default (no modifier) level generally allows access within the same package or module.

Therefore, the modifier that restricts access to the same class only is private.