so,
Why is this code compiling???

class Outer 
{
	int outer_var=100;
	void test()
	{
	 Inner inner= new Inner();
	 inner.display();
    }
	
	class Inner {
		void display()
		{
		 System.out.println("Display outer_var:" + outer_var);
		}
	 }
 }
 class InnerDemo{
	public static void main(String[] args) 
	{
		Outer outer=new Outer();
		outer.test();
	}
}

means member variables of the inner class can
be accessed only in the inner class, not the
outer class.

The code compiles because it accesses the outer
class variables in the inner class method.

This is allowed, with some restrictions ofcourse.

Regds.

1. normal-packagelevel-toplevelclass
2. nested_top_level_class in other words static_innerclass
3. non-static_innerclass
4. local_innerclass_inside_a_method_OR_block_ofcode
5. anonymous inner class

Having said that, in your code you are not directly accessing the innerclass member (here the method display() ). What you are doing is accessing a very valid Outer class's ( its own ) member Inner . Once you have an instance of the Innerclass then you can always access the Innerclass's members through the created ref.

A class can always access its own members right?. If the owner can't access then its not fair right ? This is what happens in your code. So it compiles fine. Instead try the foll. code. This will not compile.

class Outer
{
	int outer_var=100;
	void test()
	{
		display();
	        Inner inner= new Inner();
	        inner.display();
        }
	class Inner {
		void display()
		{
		 System.out.println("Display outer_var:" + outer_var);
		}
	 }
 }
 class InnerDemo{
	public static void main(String[] args)
	{
		Outer outer=new Outer();
		outer.test();
	}
}

Satya,
What you say is correct. But that doesn't answer the qstn I think. What Saraswathi is asking is how can the outer class access the inner class method display().

regds
maha anna.

I am glad you mentioned.
I would hate myself if I am
mis-guiding someone (even unintentionally).

Moreover, I am answering the qstn half-hearted
(sorry saraswathi ). actually I was hurrying
up for a meeting and then I though I will make
a quick pass at this issue.

Regds.

So,By this can I say that I can also access the variables of Innerclass in the Outer?
Of Course with the instantiation of innerclass.

"Members of inner class mean ....."

Also, I have seen many times people suggesting the
following:

"Write some code and check it ..."

Please donot get me worng. But if you follow the above
advice, it really helps. It really really increases confidence.

BTW, the answer to your question is YES.

Hope this helps.
Regds.

code:

---

class Outer1
{
        int outer_var=100;
        void test()
        {
                //display();
                Inner1 inner= new Inner1();
                inner.display();
                System.out.println("Inner variable access = " +
                                                   inner.inner_var);
        }
        class Inner1 {
               int inner_var = 5;
                void display()
                {
                 System.out.println("Display outer_var:" + outer_var);
                }
         }
 }
class InnerDemo{
        public static void main(String[] args)
        {
                Outer1 outer=new Outer1();
                outer.test();
        }
 }

---

ps: I already had a class called Outer so I used Outer1.
I hope I am right this time.