Re: How does one handle a java method which returns a non-public sub-type via reflection?

[jeffrey kutcher]

 VBox class hierarchy shows getChildren() are implemented in Parentand Pane. 
vbox.getChildren() returns an instance of Parent which isprotected rather than 
public found in Pane. Accessing the Listreturned by Parent is an illegal 
reference because it is protectedwhile accessing the List returned by Pane 
should be legal, butthis isn't whats returned.
VBox Class Hierarchy:
java.lang.Objectjavafx.scene.Nodejavafx.scene.Parent -> protected 
ObservableList<Node> 
getChildren​()javafx.scene.layout.Regionjavafx.scene.layout.Pane -> public 
ObservableList<Node> getChildren()javafx.scene.layout.VBox
Class instance of vbox.getChildren() is:
vbox.getChildren().getClass() -> class javafx.scene.Parent$3
Pane is widening the access restrictions of Parent. Is this intentional?Does it 
have any effect? Should Parent's access restrictions of getChildren()be public 
also or should Pane's be protected?
My thought is public for both.