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c++pointersprivatememberaccess-modifiers

Why can I access private data members through pointers and should I do this?

I just discovered that I can do this in C++, which compiles just fine (MinGW and VC++):

class A
{
private:
   void doSth();
   A* foo;
   A* bar;
};

void A::doSth()
{
  foo->bar;
}

The member field bar of foo is private. Why can I access it and should I do so?

Solution

  • In C++, private means the access is limited to the same class, not to the same object instance.