Abstract private functions

Question

In the following code, PHP will be unhappy that customMethod () is private. Why is this so? Is visibility defined where something is declared, not defined?

If I wanted customMethod to be only visible to a code template in the Template class and not allow it to be redefined, could I just make it secure and final?

template.php:

abstract class Template() { abstract private function customMethod(); public function commonMethod() { $this->customMethod(); } } 

CustomA.php:

 class CustomA extends Template { private function customMethod() { blah... } } 

main.php

 ... $object = new CustomA(); $object->commonMethod(); .. 

Answer 1

Abstract methods cannot be private, because by definition they must be implemented by a derived class. If you do not want it to be public , it must be protected , which means that it can be seen by derived classes, but no one else.

The PHP manual on abstract classes shows you examples of using protected in this way.

Answer 2

The abstract method is open or protected. It's necessary.