Encapsulation is spelled using the letter combination "-capsul-", which is pronounced as /ˈkæpsjʊl/. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word breaks it down into smaller parts to make it easier to understand. The "en-" prefix is pronounced as /ɛn/, while the "-tio-" suffix is pronounced as /ˈtɪʃən/. The word is commonly used in computer programming to describe the process of wrapping code and data into a single unit, which helps to protect it from outside interference.
Encapsulation is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming that refers to the bundling of data and methods within a single unit called an object. It involves the hiding of internal implementation details and the protection of data from external access, allowing objects to maintain their integrity and preventing unwanted modification.
In encapsulation, data within an object is accessed only through specific methods known as accessors and mutators, or getters and setters. These methods provide controlled access to the object's attributes or properties, enabling validation and manipulation of the data prior to retrieval or modification. By encapsulating data, the object encapsulates its state and behavior, effectively organizing its internal components into a cohesive entity.
Encapsulation facilitates the creation of more modular, maintainable, and flexible code by enforcing information hiding and abstraction. It promotes code reusability and reduces code duplication by encapsulating common functionalities within objects and allowing these objects to be reused across different parts of a program.
Furthermore, encapsulation improves code security by limiting direct access to data, ensuring that it can only be accessed and modified through defined interfaces. This prevents unauthorized modification or tampering with the internal state of objects.
In summary, encapsulation is a programming concept that involves bundling data and methods together within objects, hiding internal implementation details, and providing controlled access to the object's attributes. Encapsulation enhances code readability, maintainability, flexibility, reusability, and security.
Enclosure in a capsule or sheath.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "encapsulation" derives from the Latin word "capsula" which means "a small box or case". The prefix "en-" denotes the act of putting something inside or surrounding it completely. Therefore, "encapsulation" refers to the process of enclosing or isolating something within a protective or defined boundary.