java - what is the difference between `public class` and just `class`?

Question

I have noticed that if don't write public before a class its works same as like a public class. I can't understand why so? It should show a error when I don't declare a class as public, private or protected. But it works fine. What is the reason?

question from:https://stackoverflow.com/questions/16779245/what-is-the-difference-between-public-class-and-just-class

Answer 1

I have noticed that if don't write public before a class its works same as like a public class.

No it doesn't. Unless it's public, the class won't be visible to other code which isn't in the same package. The default accessibility (which can't be specified explicitly) is that a class (or other member) is only visible to other code within the same package.

You should read the Java Language Specification section 6.6 and the Java Tutorial (Controlling Access to Members of a Class) for more details.