When defining global variables in the background of the page, should they be defined as protected or private?

wanderwb

E.g:
public partial class CalcYear: System.Web.UI.Page
{
    protected int total = 0;
    protected void Page_Load(object sender,EventArgs e)
    {
if(!Page.IsPostBack)
{///Bind control data
   BindVisitData();
}
    }
    ......
}

Just like the sentence protected int total = 0;, sometimes private int total = 0; is also useful. I don’t know which one to use, or it doesn’t matter. Please expert advice, thank you!

xiaoyao11

If you call in a page (.aspx) such as: <%= total %>, it can be protect
If not called, it is private

wanderwb

I even saw:

int nMailID = -1;
public total = 0;

Global variables declared in this way. How do they explain? Thank you!