What are some examples of encapsulation in C++?

What are some examples of encapsulation in C++?

Encapsulation in C++ is the bundling of data and methods that operate on that data within a single unit, usually a class. For example, consider a class Car that has private attributes like speed and fuel, and public methods like accelerate() and refuel(). This way, the internal state of the Car can only be modified through its methods.

Can you give me a code example?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class Car {
private:
    int speed;
    int fuel;

public:
    Car() : speed(0), fuel(100) {}

    void accelerate() {
        speed += 10;
        fuel -= 5;
    }

    int getSpeed() const {
        return speed;
    }
};

In this code, speed and fuel are private, and can only be accessed or modified through the public methods.

What are the benefits of using encapsulation?

Encapsulation provides several benefits: it protects the internal state of an object, reduces complexity by hiding implementation details, and enhances code maintainability and flexibility. It also allows for controlled access to the object's data.

Are there any drawbacks to encapsulation?

One potential drawback is that it can lead to increased complexity in the code structure, as you may need to write more methods to access or modify the data. Additionally, if not designed properly, it can make the code less intuitive for other developers.