In
C++, this optional
keyword starts declaring the private
data members and/or
member functions. The private members of a
class are minimally
accessible by other program parts.
It is invoked thus:
class foo
{
public:
//
protected:
//
private:
protected data members
protected member functions
}
The private section contains data members and member functions that are not accessible to class instances, to descendant classes, or to functions that do not belong to the class (such as the main() function). Typically, the private section contains highly sensitive data members and auxiliary member functions. Highly sensitive meaning data members that should work only with the private member functiosn of the calls. In other words, the private data members are conceptually "top secret" and should be handled by member functions that are themselves private.