why main method in Java need to be public always? [duplicate]

Answer 1

Java specifies several access modifiers e.g. private, protected and public. Any method or variable which is declared public in Java can be accessible from outside of that class. Since main method is public in Java, JVM can easily access and execute it

Answer 2

From the jvms

The Java Virtual Machine starts up by creating an initial class, which is specified in an implementation-dependent manner, using the bootstrap class loader (§5.3.1). The Java Virtual Machine then links the initial class, initializes it, and invokes the public class method void main(String[]). The invocation of this method drives all further execution. Execution of the Java Virtual Machine instructions constituting the main method may cause linking (and consequently creation) of additional classes and interfaces, as well as invocation of additional methods.

So it is specified this way and jvm vendors has to respect it!

Answer 3

Public classes and method can be accessed by anyone whether within or out of the package. So since jvm iyself has class loaders in different package than the default or your package, you need to put the main with public access modifier