why main method can't be of default scope? [duplicate]

Question

If we declare the class with default scope(non-public) and public main method it executes successfully. Here class scope is mote stricter than main method scope.

But if we declare main method as default, then JVM will throw error. Why?

class DefaultTest {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("output.........");
    }
}

Runs successfully but

class DefaultTest {
    static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("output.........");
    }
}

this won't.

I mean if the class itself is not public JVM can still access main method that means there is no need of main to be public. But if we don't declare it as public, it will throw an error.

Answer 1

It is specified by the Java Language Specification, see http://docs.oracle.com/javase/specs/jls/se7/html/jls-12.html chapter 12.1.4. Invoke Test.main:

The method main must be declared public, static, and void.

It is also required by the JVM specification, see the answer from @A4L.

Answer 2

static so that the JVM can run the method without having to instantiate the class object + public so that the JVM can access it freely without any access issues.