What is the best way to arrange variables and methods in a class?

Question

I usually arrange my variables and methods like this:

class MyClass {
    // public variables
    // public methods
    // private methods
    // private variables
}

I want to know what is the best arrangement for defining functions and variables in terms of readability?

EDIT: Also what about enum and class definitions within the class?

Answer 1

Like this:

class MyClass {
    // private fields
    // public methods
    // private methods
}

You shouldn't have any public fields. Use properties instead.

StyleCop has a set of rules on suggested code order. See SA1201:

Within a class, struct, or interface, elements must be positioned in the following order:

• Fields
• Constructors
• Finalizers (Destructors)
• Delegates
• Events
• Enums
• Interfaces
• Properties
• Indexers
• Methods
• Structs
• Classes

and SA1202:

To comply with this rule, adjacent elements of the same type must be positioned in the following order by access level:

• public
• internal
• protected internal
• protected
• private

If you use StyleCop it will warn you when you break these rules.