What is class variable encapsulation in programming?

What is class variable encapsulation in programming?

Class variable encapsulation is a concept in object-oriented programming that restricts access to certain variables within a class. It helps protect the integrity of the data by controlling how variables can be accessed and modified.

Can you give me an example of how to implement it?

Sure! In Python, you can use a single underscore before a variable name to indicate that it is intended to be private. For example:

class MyClass:
    def __init__(self):
        self._private_variable = 42

    def get_private_variable(self):
        return self._private_variable

What happens if I try to access the variable directly?

If you try to access a variable with a single underscore directly, it won't raise an error, but it's considered bad practice. For example, my_instance._private_variable will work, but it's not recommended.

Are there other ways to encapsulate variables?

Yes, you can use double underscores to invoke name mangling, which makes it harder to access the variable directly. For example, self.__private_variable would be renamed internally to _MyClass__private_variable.