note 59666 added to language.oop5.visibility

BEWARE!! The visibility of a class member can easily be compromised by attaining a reference to the protected member. In C++ for example this can not be done unless specifically included in the declaration/definition. However in PHP it is simple!!!! Observe.... class MyClass{ protected $num; public function MyClass(){ $this->num = 0; } public function Increment(){ $this->num++; } public function GetNum(){ return $this->num; } }; $c = new MyClass(); //create instance of class $x = &$c->GetNum(); //create variable referencing protected member to keep track of value while avoiding repeat calls to GetNum(). $x++; echo "CLASS VALUE: " . $c->GetNum() . " VAR VALUE: $x\n"; The output is: CLASS VALUE: 1 VAR VALUE: 1 A protected member should be exactly what "protected" means, protected. I hope I am overlooking something. If not I believe this feature should be corrected to improve transparency in syntax between the two "languages." Additionally, please note that my email address is: jkallen@206-225-86-169.dedicated.abac.net I had to create the jfk alias because the form for submitting notes does not accept emails as long as mine!!!! Ouch! ---- Manual Page -- http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.visibility.php Edit -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=edit+59666 Delete: added to the manual -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+59666&report=yes&reason=added+to+the+manual Delete: bad code -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+59666&report=yes&reason=bad+code Delete: spam -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+59666&report=yes&reason=spam Delete: useless -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+59666&report=yes&reason=useless Delete: non-english -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+59666&report=yes&reason=non-english Delete: already in docs -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+59666&report=yes&reason=already+in+docs Delete: other reasons -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+59666&report=yes Reject -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=reject+59666&report=yes Search -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php