INFORMATION HIDING Meaning and
Definition
-
Information hiding, also known as encapsulation, is a fundamental concept in computer science and software engineering that refers to the practice of concealing the internal details or implementation of an object, component, or system, and only exposing the necessary information to the outside world.
In this context, an object or component acts as a black box, where the internal workings remain hidden, and only the essential aspects are visible and accessible. The purpose of information hiding is to protect the internal details from being inadvertently modified or misused by other components or systems.
By hiding the implementation details, information hiding promotes modularity, reduces complexity, and enhances maintainability. It enables developers to work on individual pieces of the system without needing to understand the intricate inner workings of other components. This separation of concerns allows for easier collaboration and promotes code reuse.
Information hiding is commonly achieved through the use of access modifiers, such as public, private, and protected, which determine the level of visibility of different members within a module or class. Public members are accessible from the outside, while private members are only accessible from within the module or class. By limiting access to certain members, information hiding allows for greater control over how objects can be used and manipulated.
Overall, information hiding is a key principle in software development that promotes secure, modular, and maintainable systems by concealing the internal details and exposing only the necessary information to the outside world.
Etymology of INFORMATION HIDING
The term "information hiding" is a phrase widely used in the field of computer science and software engineering. Its etymology can be understood by breaking down the individual words:
1. Information: The word "information" derives from the Latin word "informare", which means "to shape" or "to form". Over time, the term evolved to mean knowledge, facts, or data that are communicated or received.
2. Hiding: The word "hiding" comes from the Old English word "hydan" or "hȳdan", which means "to conceal" or "to protect oneself". It is related to the idea of keeping something out of sight or preventing its discovery.
When combined, the phrase "information hiding" refers to the concept or practice of concealing certain details or implementation decisions within a computer program.
