ActionScript 2.0 Language Reference - Adobe Help and Support

In the same directory as Alpha.as, create a new AS file named Beta.as that contains the
following code:
class Beta extends Alpha {
function Beta() {
trace("privateProperty is " + privateProperty);
}
}
As the following code demonstrates, the constructor for the Beta class is able to access the
privateProperty property that is inherited from the Alpha class:
var myBeta:Beta = new Beta(); // Output: privateProperty is visible only
within class and subclasses
Attempts to access the privateProperty variable from outside the Alpha class or a class that
inherits from the Alpha class result in an error. The following code, which resides outside of
any class, causes an error:
trace(myBeta.privateProperty); // Error
See also
public statement
public statement
class someClassName{
public var name;
public function name() {
// your statements here
}
}
Specifies that a variable or function is available to any caller. Because variables and functions
are public by default, this keyword is used primarily for stylistic reasons. For example, you
might want to use it for reasons of consistency in a block of code that also contains private or
static variables.
Availability: ActionScript 2.0; Flash Player 6
Parameters
name:String - The name of the variable or function that you want to specify as public.
226 ActionScript language elements