javainterfacecoding-stylepublic-method

Should methods in a Java interface be declared with or without a public access modifier?

Should methods in a Java interface be declared with or without the public access modifier?

Technically it doesn't matter, of course. A class method that implements an interface is always public. But what is a better convention?

Java itself is not consistent in this. See for instance Collection vs. Comparable, or Future vs. ScriptEngine.

Solution

  • The JLS makes this clear:

    It is permitted, but discouraged as a matter of style, to redundantly specify the public and/or abstract modifier for a method declared in an interface.