java - Protected constructor and accessibility

Question

Why can't we instantiate a class with a protected constructor if its child is in a different package? If protected variables and methods can be accessed, why doesn't the same rule also apply for a protected constructor?

pack1:

package pack1;

public class A {
    private int a;
    protected int b;
    public int c;

    protected A() {    
        a = 10;
        b = 20;
        c = 30;
    }
}

pack2:

package pack2;

import pack1.A;

class B extends A {
    public void test() {
        A obj = new A(); // gives compilation error; why?
        //System.out.println("print private not possible :" + a);
        System.out.println("print protected possible :" + b);
        System.out.println("print public possible :" + c);
    }
}

class C {
    public static void main(String args[]) {
        A a = new A(); // gives compilation error; why?
        B b = new B();
        b.test();
    }
}

Answer 1

According to the Java Spec (https://docs.oracle.com/javase/specs/jls/se8/html/jls-6.html#jls-6.6.2.2)

6.6.2.2. Qualified Access to a protected Constructor

Let C be the class in which a protected constructor is declared and let S be the innermost class in whose declaration the use of the protected constructor occurs. Then:

• If the access is by a superclass constructor invocation super(...), or a qualified superclass constructor invocation E.super(...), where E is a Primary expression, then the access is permitted.

• If the access is by an anonymous class instance creation expression new C(...){...}, or a qualified anonymous class instance creation expression E.new C(...){...}, where E is a Primary expression, then the access is permitted.

• If the access is by a simple class instance creation expression new C(...), or a qualified class instance creation expression E.new C(...), where E is a Primary expression, or a method reference expression C :: new, where C is a ClassType, then the access is not permitted. A protected constructor can be accessed by a class instance creation expression (that does not declare an anonymous class) or a method reference expression only from within the package in which it is defined.

In your case, access to the protected constructor of A from B would be legal from a constructor of B through an invocation of super(). However, access using new is not legal.