What does "private" signify in variable/method access?

The term "private" in the context of variable and method access in programming signifies that the member can be accessed only by the class it belongs to. Setting a variable or method as private restricts its visibility and access to within the defining class, which is fundamental to encapsulation in object-oriented programming. By using private access, developers can protect the internal state of an object and prevent unauthorized access and modification from outside entities. This practice helps maintain the integrity of the object's data and promotes a clear interface for interacting with the class.

In summary, private access allows a class to hide its internal implementation details from the rest of the program, ensuring that its data is only modified or accessed through its own methods. Consequently, this encapsulation helps reduce complexity and enhances maintainability in the codebase.