What Does Protected Access Level Mean in Python?

Learn Python OOP encapsulation with real-world examples. Understand public, protected, and private access levels for clean, secure, and maintainable code.

In Python OOP, protected access is a convention that suggests a variable or method should not be accessed directly from outside the class — but it still can be.

🔍 Definition:

A protected member in Python is defined by prefixing its name with a single underscore _.

class Car:
    def __init__(self):
        self._speed = 100  # protected variable

    def show_speed(self):
        print(f"Speed: {self._speed} km/h")

• _speed is protected, meaning:

  • It should be accessed only within the class or its subclasses.
  • It can still be accessed outside the class, but it’s not recommended.

📘 Why Use Protected?

• To warn other developers: “This is meant for internal or subclass use.”
• To support inheritance, where child classes can access or modify it.
• To organize your code and control data flow better.

📚 Example with Inheritance:

class Car:
    def __init__(self):
        self._speed = 100  # protected

    def show_speed(self):
        print(f"Speed: {self._speed} km/h")

class SportsCar(Car):
    def boost(self):
        self._speed += 50

car = SportsCar()
car.boost()
car.show_speed()  # ✅ Speed: 150 km/h

Even though _speed is marked as protected, the subclass can access and modify it.

⚠️ Accessing Protected Members from Outside:

car = Car()
print(car._speed)  # ⚠️ Possible, but not recommended

Python allows it, but by convention, you’re not supposed to do it. Think of it as a “handle with care” warning.

✅ Summary

📘 Related Topics

• Encapsulation in Python OOP – Learn Python OOP encapsulation with Beginner’s examples. 👉 Learn more