<?php /** * Define MyClass */ class MyClass{ // Contructors must be public public function __construct() { } // Declare a public method public function MyPublic() { } // Declare a protected method protected function MyProtected() { } // Declare a private method private function MyPrivate() { } // This is public function Foo() { $this->MyPublic(); $this->MyProtected(); $this->MyPrivate(); } } $myclass = new MyClass; $myclass->MyPublic(); //Works $myclass->MyProtected(); // Fatal Error $myclass->MyPrivate(); // Fatal Error $myclass->Foo(); // Public, Protected and Private work /** * Define MyClass2 */ class MyClass2 extends MyClass{ // This is public function Foo2(){ $this->MyPublic(); $this->MyProtected(); $this->MyPrivate(); // Fatal Error } } $myclass2 = new MyClass2; $myclass2->MyPublic(); // Works $myclass2->Foo2(); // Public and Protected work, not Private ?>