Encapsulation

Encapsulation in programming is like putting something in a box with clear instructions on how to use it without needing to know what's inside. Here’s a simple breakdown:

What is Encapsulation?

Encapsulation is about bundling data (attributes) and methods (functions that operate on the data) into a single unit, called a class. This unit keeps the data safe from outside interference and misuse.

Key Points of Encapsulation:

Data Protection: It protects the data inside a class from accidental modification or unauthorized access by hiding the internal state of an object.

Controlled Access: Encapsulation allows controlled access to the data, meaning you can define which parts of the data are accessible and which are not.

How Encapsulation Works:

Class Definition: You define a class with attributes (data) and methods (functions). These methods are the only way to access or modify the data.

Public vs. Private: In many programming languages (like Python, Java, etc.), you can mark attributes or methods as public (accessible outside the class) or private (accessible only within the class).

Benefits of Encapsulation:

Security: It prevents accidental changes to data by restricting access to only the necessary methods.

Modularity: Encapsulation promotes modular code design, making it easier to manage and update.

Information Hiding: It hides the difficult execution details of how things work internally, reducing difficulties and making code easier to understand.

Real-World Example:

Imagine a toy with buttons: you can press the buttons to make it perform actions, but you can't see or mess with the gears or electronics inside. The toy's design protects its internal workings and only exposes what you need to interact with.

Examples :

Class in Python:

class Car:
           def __init__(self, brand):
               self.brand = brand  # Public attribute
           def start_engine(self):
               # Private method
               self.__engine_started = True
               print(f"{self.brand} engine started.")
        car = Car("Toyota")
        car.start_engine()  # Output: Toyota engine started.

• brand is a public attribute accessible directly (car.brand), while __engine_started is a private attribute accessed through the method start_engine().