Why is it casy to give package access to a class member by accident?

In Java, there are four access levels that can be specified for class members: private, default (package-private), protected, and public. When no access level is specified, it defaults to package-private (default), meaning the member is accessible within the same package.

When a class member does not have an explicit access level specified, it's by default assigned the package-private access level. This can be easily overlooked when writing the code, especially if the access level is left out unintentionally.

A common mistake is accidentally leaving out the access level keyword while writing the code. For example, when declaring a variable or method, if the developer intends to make it private but forgets to add the 'private' keyword, it would become package-private by default.

Another reason this issue occurs is due to poor code organization or lack of proper encapsulation. When developers don't properly organize their code into packages or encapsulate data within classes, they may unintentionally give other classes within the same package access to class members that should be limited in scope.

Accidentally giving package access to a class member can be easily avoided through code reviews and efficient communication within the development team. Regular code reviews can identify and address possible visibility issues. Proper team communication can ensure that everyone is aware of the access levels for class members and their implications. In conclusion, it is easy to accidentally give package access to a class member due to the default package-private access level in Java, accidentally leaving out access level keywords, poor code organization, and lack of proper encapsulation. To avoid this issue, developers should be diligent about specifying correct access levels, implementing proper encapsulation, and participating in code reviews.