How does encapsulation work in OOP?

Can you explain what encapsulation means in object-oriented programming?

Sure! Encapsulation is a fundamental concept in OOP that restricts direct access to some of an object's components. It helps to bundle the data (attributes) and methods (functions) that operate on the data into a single unit, or class.

Why is encapsulation important?

Encapsulation is important because it protects the integrity of the object's data by preventing outside interference and misuse. It also promotes modularity and makes the code easier to maintain.

Can you give me an example of encapsulation in a programming language?

Certainly! In Python, you can use underscores to indicate private attributes. For example, a class might have a private variable like self.__balance to prevent direct access from outside the class.

How does encapsulation relate to data hiding?

Encapsulation is closely related to data hiding, as it allows you to hide the internal state of an object and only expose a controlled interface for interacting with that state.