Question

public enum Parent {
    item1(1){

        public void testing() {
            add();
            multiply();
            minus(); // error here!!!
        } 

    }, item2(2);

    private int i ;
    Parent(int i){
        this.i = i;
    }

    public void setI(int i ){
        this.i = i;
    }
    public int getI(){
        return i;
    }

    public void multiply(){

    }
    protected void add(){

    }

    private void minus(){

    }
}

As you guy can see, they are in the same class, how come minus() cannot be used internally? Usually inner class can access private method/field in the outer class right?

Answer 1

To be able to access minus() from item1, you have to make it protected (or public).

The correct way to think about Parent and item1 is as a base class and a subclass.

From the JLS:

The optional class body of an enum constant implicitly defines an anonymous class declaration (§15.9.5) that extends the immediately enclosing enum type.