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How to Use Private Classes in Another Class C#?

Published in C++ Programming 2 mins read

You can't directly use private classes in another class in C#. Private classes are designed to be hidden within the enclosing class and are not accessible from outside.

Here's why:

  • Encapsulation: Private classes enforce encapsulation, a core principle in object-oriented programming. This means that the internal workings of a class are hidden, and access is controlled through public interfaces.
  • Code Organization: Private classes help organize code by separating concerns and preventing external code from interfering with the internal logic.
  • Security: Private classes protect sensitive data and logic from unauthorized access.

However, you can use private classes within the enclosing class and access their members through public methods or properties.

Example:

public class OuterClass
{
    private class PrivateClass
    {
        public int PrivateValue { get; set; }
    }

    private PrivateClass _privateInstance = new PrivateClass();

    public int GetPrivateValue()
    {
        return _privateInstance.PrivateValue;
    }
}

In this example, the PrivateClass is private and accessible only within the OuterClass. The GetPrivateValue() method provides a public interface to access the private value stored in the private class instance.

Practical Insights:

  • Private classes are useful for creating helper classes or internal data structures.
  • Use private classes when you want to restrict access to certain code or data.
  • Avoid making classes private unless necessary, as it limits their reusability.

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