private variable

noun

UK /ˈpraɪ.vət ˈveə.ri.ə.bəl/

US /ˈpraɪ.vət ˈver.i.ə.bəl/

A private variable is a secret box inside a computer program that only that program can open and use.

The programmer made the score a private variable so other parts of the game could not change it by accident.

SYNONYMS

hidden variable internal variable protected variable encapsulated variable

RELATED WORDS

class object encapsulation scope access modifier

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In object-oriented programming, a data member that can only be accessed from within the class that declares it.

The class keeps its balance in a private variable and offers a method to read it.

3. A variable whose value is not shared with or visible to other modules or files.

Each module stores its settings in a private variable to avoid conflicts.

4. A local variable used only inside a single function or block.

The loop counter is a private variable that disappears when the function ends.