What are some examples of encapsulation in C++ game architecture?

What are some examples of encapsulation in C++ game architecture?

Encapsulation in C++ game architecture involves bundling data and methods that operate on that data within classes. For example, a Player class might encapsulate attributes like health and score, along with methods to update these attributes.

Can you give me a specific code example?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class Player {
private:
    int health;
    int score;

public:
    Player() : health(100), score(0) {}
    void takeDamage(int damage) { health -= damage; }
    void addScore(int points) { score += points; }
    int getHealth() const { return health; }
    int getScore() const { return score; }
};

This class encapsulates the player's health and score, providing public methods to interact with these private attributes.

How does this improve game design?

Encapsulation improves game design by promoting modularity and reducing dependencies. It allows developers to change the internal implementation of a class without affecting other parts of the code, making maintenance and updates easier.

Are there any downsides to using encapsulation?

One downside is that it can lead to more complex code if overused. Additionally, excessive encapsulation might hinder performance in performance-critical applications, as it can introduce additional layers of abstraction.