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Private Class Features

Private class members (methods and properties) are ones such that only the functions/class itself can access them.

To make a member private, simple prefix it with '#' like this: 

let #msg = "hello this is a private message";
caution

Private features may not yet be implemented on Hedgehog Lab.

An example:

Note that private fields include both instance and static versions (just like public).

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Note that one can use the in operator to detect missing private fields or methods.

It will return true if the private field or method exists, false otherwise.

Similarly to public fields, private fields are added at construction time in the base class:

tip

Private static fields are very similar to public ones.

  • See [Public Classes](/Classes/Public Class Fields.md) for examples.

Private Instance Methods​

They are methods available on class instances not the class itself (that's static).

And access is restricted similar as private instance fields:

  • Only accessible to the class its in. Even subclasses don't have access.

The syntax is the same as fields: add a '#' before the method name:

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Private instance methods can also be 'getters' or 'setters'.