What is the difference between inheritance and encapsulation in C++?

What is the difference between inheritance and encapsulation in C++?

Inheritance is a mechanism where a new class derives properties and behavior from an existing class, while encapsulation is the bundling of data and methods that operate on that data within a single unit, restricting access to some of the object's components.

Can you give me an example of inheritance in C++?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class Animal {
public:
    void speak() { std::cout << "Animal speaks"; }
};

class Dog : public Animal {
public:
    void speak() { std::cout << "Dog barks"; }
};

In this example, Dog inherits from Animal.

What about encapsulation? How is it implemented?

Encapsulation is implemented using access specifiers. For example:

class BankAccount {
private:
    double balance;
public:
    void deposit(double amount) { balance += amount; }
    double getBalance() { return balance; }
};

Here, balance is private and can only be accessed through public methods.

Why is encapsulation important in programming?

Encapsulation is important because it protects the internal state of an object from unintended interference and misuse, promoting modularity and maintainability.