What is the default access modifier in Java?

In Java, the default access modifier is no keyword. When you don't explicitly specify any access modifier (like public, private, or protected) for a class, method, or variable, it has default access.

Key Characteristics of Default Access Modifier:

Package-Private: The most important thing to remember about default access is that it's package-private. This means that the class, method, or variable is only accessible by other classes that are within the same package.
Not Accessible Outside the Package: If you try to access a default member from a class in a different package, you'll get a compile-time error.

Example :

// In the 'mypackage' package:

class MyClass { // Default access (package-private)
    int myVariable; // Default access (package-private)

    void myMethod() { // Default access (package-private)
        System.out.println("Hello from myMethod!");
    }
}

// In a different package (e.g., 'anotherpackage'):

import mypackage.MyClass; // This import won't work as expected

public class AnotherClass {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        MyClass obj = new MyClass(); // Error: MyClass is not accessible
        obj.myMethod(); // Error: myMethod is not accessible
        System.out.println(obj.myVariable); // Error: myVariable is not accessible
    }
}?

Why Use Default Access?

Encapsulation: Default access helps to encapsulate implementation details. You can make classes, methods, or variables accessible only to other classes within the same package, hiding them from the outside world. This promotes better organization and reduces the risk of unintended modifications.
Internal Implementation: Default access is often used for classes, methods, or variables that are part of the internal implementation of a package. They are not intended to be used directly by code outside the package.