What is the difference between abstraction and encapsulation in Java?

What is the difference between abstraction and encapsulation in Java?

Abstraction is the concept of hiding complex implementation details and showing only the essential features. Encapsulation, on the other hand, is the bundling of data and methods that operate on that data within a single unit, typically a class.

Can you give me an example of abstraction in Java?

Sure! An example of abstraction is using an abstract class or interface. For instance, you might have an abstract class 'Animal' with an abstract method 'makeSound()'. Different subclasses like 'Dog' and 'Cat' would implement 'makeSound()' in their own way.

And what about encapsulation? How is that implemented?

Encapsulation is implemented using access modifiers. For example, you can declare class variables as private and provide public getter and setter methods to access and modify them, ensuring controlled access.

Why are both concepts important in Java programming?

Both concepts are crucial for achieving a clean and maintainable code structure. Abstraction helps in reducing complexity, while encapsulation protects the integrity of the data.