[fpc-devel] protected members access across classes in the same package, but what about inherited cross package

[Joao Morais]

Martin Friebe wrote:
> [file foo.pp]
> type
>   TThat = class(TObject)
>    protected
>      ThatValue : integer
>   end;
> 
>   TThis = class(TObject)
>     ....
>   end;
> implementation ...
> [/end of file foo.pp]
> 
> [file bar.pp]
> type
>  TThatFake class(TThat)
>  end; // intntionally empty class
> 
>  TSomething = class(...)
> ....
> [/end of file bar.pp]]
> 
> - If TThatFake had any code, then any code belonging to TThatFake would 
> be allowed to see it's anchestor protected members, that would be correct.

Yes. Inheritance.

> - If TThatFake had any protected mebers implemented in bar.pp they 
> should be visble to other code in bar.pp

Yes. Friend classes.

> - But what about inherited members? Should TSomething be able to access 
> ThatValue?

Yes, if the object pointer is declared as TThatFake or you cast the 
pointer to TThatFake. Otherwise no, only public members of TThat would 
be visible.

Joao Morais