default access specifier in c++

The default access specifier in C++ is different depending on the context in which it is used.

In classes, the default access specifier is private. This means that if you do not explicitly specify an access specifier for a member of a class, it will be considered private by default. Private members can only be accessed or modified by other members of the same class.

In structs, the default access specifier is public. If you do not specify an access specifier for a member of a struct, it will be considered public by default. Public members can be accessed and modified by any code that has access to the struct.

In namespaces, the default access specifier is public. If you do not specify an access specifier for a member of a namespace, it will be considered public by default. Public members of a namespace can be accessed and used by any code that has access to the namespace.

It's important to note that the default access specifier can be overridden by explicitly specifying an access specifier for a member. For example, you can declare a private member in a struct or a public member in a class.

Understanding the default access specifiers in C++ is essential for controlling the visibility and accessibility of your code's members, which can help enforce encapsulation and improve code maintainability.