Default access modifier for a Java constructor

Question

Can anybody explain what the default access modifier is for an explicit no-arg constructor (and other constructors)?

Answer 1

It differs depending on whether you're writing a constructor for a regular class or an enum:

• For classes, the answer is given by JLS §6.6.1:

  A class member or constructor declared without an access modifier implicitly has package access.

• For enums, the answer is given by JLS §8.9.2:

  In an enum declaration, a constructor declaration with no access modifiers is private.

  (Enum constructors are always private to prevent other classes instantiating more enum constants.)