Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in C# - Beginner Guide
1. Introduction to OOP
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm centered around objects and
classes. It helps organize code for better reusability, scalability, and maintainability.
Key Concepts:
Class: A blueprint for creating objects
Object: An instance of a class
Encapsulation
Abstraction
Inheritance
Polymorphism
2. Access Modifiers in C#
Access modifiers control the visibility and accessibility of classes, methods, and other members.
Modifier Description
public Accessible from anywhere in the project or other assemblies.
private Accessible only within the containing class.
protected Accessible within the class and in derived classes.
internal Accessible within the same assembly/project.
protected internal Accessible in the same assembly OR in a derived class elsewhere.
private protected Accessible within the same class or derived classes in the same assembly.
Examples for Each Modifier
Public Example
public class PublicExample
public string message = "Accessible everywhere";
class Test
static void Main()
{
PublicExample obj = new PublicExample();
Console.WriteLine(obj.message); // Accessible
Private Example
public class PrivateExample
private string secret = "This is private";
public void ShowSecret()
Console.WriteLine(secret); // Accessible here
class Test
static void Main()
PrivateExample obj = new PrivateExample();
// Console.WriteLine(obj.secret); // ❌ Not accessible
obj.ShowSecret(); // ✅ Accessible via method
Protected Example
public class BaseClass
protected string data = "Protected data";
}
public class DerivedClass : BaseClass
public void ShowData()
Console.WriteLine(data); // Accessible in derived class
Internal Example
internal class InternalExample
internal string info = "Internal info";
class Test
static void Main()
InternalExample obj = new InternalExample();
Console.WriteLine(obj.info); // Accessible within same assembly
Protected Internal Example
public class ProtectedInternalBase
protected internal string details = "Protected Internal Data";
public class Accessor : ProtectedInternalBase
public void PrintDetails()
{
Console.WriteLine(details); // Accessible in derived class
Private Protected Example
public class PrivateProtectedBase
private protected string data = "Private Protected Data";
protected class Nested : PrivateProtectedBase
public void ShowData()
Console.WriteLine(data); // Accessible within derived class in same assembly
These examples illustrate how each access modifier behaves in different contexts, especially in terms
of inheritance and assembly boundaries. Access modifiers control the visibility and accessibility of
classes, methods, and other members.
Modifier Description
public Accessible from anywhere in the project or other assemblies.
private Accessible only within the containing class.
protected Accessible within the class and in derived classes.
internal Accessible within the same assembly/project.
protected internal Accessible in the same assembly OR in a derived class elsewhere.
private protected Accessible within the same class or derived classes in the same assembly.
Example
public class Employee
private string id = "E101";
protected string department = "HR";
internal string office = "Mumbai";
protected internal string email = "abc@x.com";
private protected int level = 2;
public string name = "John Doe";
public void ShowDetails()
Console.WriteLine($"ID: {id}");
Console.WriteLine($"Dept: {department}");
Console.WriteLine($"Office: {office}");
Console.WriteLine($"Email: {email}");
Console.WriteLine($"Level: {level}");
Console.WriteLine($"Name: {name}");
Accessing in Another Class (Same Project)
class Program
static void Main()
Employee emp = new Employee();
// Console.WriteLine(emp.id); // ❌ private – not accessible
// Console.WriteLine(emp.department); // ❌ protected – not accessible
Console.WriteLine(emp.office); // ✅ internal
Console.WriteLine(emp.email); // ✅ protected internal
// Console.WriteLine(emp.level); // ❌ private protected – not accessible
Console.WriteLine(emp.name); // ✅ public
Real-World Analogy
private: Your phone’s passcode – only you can access.
protected: Family secrets – shared only with your children.
internal: A company’s internal portal – only employees can access.
protected internal: Like a business alliance – partners and employees.
private protected: A family business – only relatives working in the company.
public: Public billboard – anyone can see.
