Hide classes from my library (aar)

Question

im trying to create my little library. But i have little problem. I cant right understand how to hide some classes/methods from public usage. Say i have structure :

-myPackage.com
  -classA  (public class example : public classA {...})
  -classB  (just a class example : class classB {...}

in this way when i add my aar file to android project. I can use from library only classA. classB hided(invisible for developer) and i cant call him (its ok). But classA can use functions from classB . Because its in same package. And its ok. So how correctly create classes in another packages ?

-myPackage.com
 -myHelpPackage
  -classC (public class example: public class classC {...}
  -classD (just a class example: class classD {...}
 -classA (public class example : public classA {...})
 -classB (just a class example : class classB {...}

in this way i have two public classes which developer can call

classA
classC

classD visible only for classA. So i cant call classD(functions) from classA. Main question : how to achive it ? I want to have only one classA to call. classC is ok. classD and classB should be invisible for developer. But visible only for classA. Anyone can help me with this ?

I guess you meant _classD and classB should be invisible for developer_ in your question ;) — aveuiller, Oct 16 '17 at 08:47
Make the class with `package scope` maybe? https://stackoverflow.com/questions/215497/in-java-difference-between-default-public-protected-and-private — ישו אוהב אותך, Oct 16 '17 at 09:04

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 16 '17 at 09:13

0

If you don't specify any access level modifier, e.g.:

package myPackage.com

class classA {
}

then the class will be package-private by default. This means it is only visible to classes inside your package. See also the documentation by Oracle here

answered Oct 16 '17 at 09:13

JakobJeremias

86
1
5

You want class A & C to be visible everywhere ? Then you need to make them public. Please rephrase your question as it is not clear enough what you are trying to achieve. – JakobJeremias Oct 16 '17 at 09:24
no, i want only class A be visible for developers. And class C visible only for classA – Peter Oct 16 '17 at 09:30
You could embed class C in Class A. – JakobJeremias Oct 17 '17 at 14:21
Jakob, its here class C small, in real - class C very big. – Peter Oct 18 '17 at 07:42

Sedge · Answer 2 · 2018-07-05T13:23:43.280

This question has been answered in the comments by JakobJeremais, but in case it's not clear to anyone, or they skip over it because they only read top-level answers (understandable). If you have a package-private class in your aar, it will still be publicly accessible, so I would recommend nesting the class in whatever calls it, an you will be safe.

For instance, I had to extend EditText so that I could override just one method, and nothing else. Then I had to reference that from only one other class, but didn't want it accessible from whatever projects I added my library to. So I nested it, and now it's fine.

public class VisibleClass extends View {
    public static HiddenClass extends EditTextCompat { 
        @Override
        public void annoyingFunction() {
            //Disable this function
        }
    }
}

I should note, though: The compiler isn't happy about accessing it from layout, so I suppose it hasn't really helped, so I wouldn't recommend it, for now. If you have time to tinker, go ahead, though.

Hide classes from my library (aar)

2 Answers2