Access modifiers

Context: Access modifiers control the visibility of types and members.

Modifier	Accessibility
public	Any code
private	Only within the same class
protected	Within the class or derived classes
internal	Within the same assembly
protected internal	Same assembly OR derived classes in any assembly
private protected	Same assembly AND derived classes (C# 7.2+)

Examples

public class Vehicle
{
    private string _vin;          // only Vehicle
    protected int _wheels;        // Vehicle + derived
    internal string _model;       // same assembly
    public void Start() { }       // everyone
}

Default Accessibility

• Class / struct / interface / enum: internal
• Members (fields, methods, etc.): private