What is encapsulation in programming languages?

What is encapsulation in programming languages?

Encapsulation is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming that restricts access to certain components of an object. It helps in bundling the data and methods that operate on the data within one unit, typically a class.

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

Sure! In Python, you can use underscores to indicate private variables. For example:

class Car:
    def __init__(self):
        self.__speed = 0  # private variable

    def set_speed(self, speed):
        self.__speed = speed

    def get_speed(self):
        return self.__speed

Why is encapsulation important in software development?

Encapsulation is important because it helps to protect the internal state of an object from unintended interference and misuse. It also promotes modularity and maintainability, making it easier to manage and update code.

What are the other principles of object-oriented programming?

The other main principles of object-oriented programming are inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction. Each of these principles contributes to creating flexible and reusable code.