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Access Statement :Access

:Access <Private|Public><Instance|Shared>
:Access <WebMethod>

The :Access statement is used to specify characteristics for functions that represent Methods in classes (see Methods). It is also applicable to Classes and Properties.

Element Description
Private|Public Specifies whether or not the method is accessible from outside the Class or an Instance of the Class. The default is Private .
Instance|Shared Specifies whether the method runs in the Class or Instance. The default is Instance .
WebMethod Specifies that the method is exported as a web method. This applies only to a Class that implements a Web Service.
Overridable Applies only to an Instance Method and specifies that the Method may be overridden by a Method in a higher Class. See below.
Override Applies only to an Instance Method and specifies that the Method overrides the corresponding Overridable Method defined in the Base Class. See below

Overridable/Override

Normally, a Method defined in a higher Class replaces a Method of the same name that is defined in its Base Class, but only for calls made from above or within the higher Class itself (or an Instance of the higher Class). The base method remains available in the Base Class and is invoked by a reference to it from within the Base Class.

However, a Method declared as being Overridable is replaced in-situ (that is, within its own Class) by a Method of the same name in a higher Class if that Method is itself declared with the Override keyword. For further information, see Superseding Base Class Methods.

WebMethod

Note that :Access WebMethod is equivalent to:

:Access Public
:Attribute System.Web.Services.WebMethodAttribute