Encapsulation
Encapsulation is a fundamental principle in object-oriented programming (OOP) that bundles data (attributes) and methods (functions) that operate on that data into a single unit called a class, while restricting direct access to some of the object's components. It hides the internal state and implementation details of an object from the outside world, exposing only a controlled interface for interaction. This promotes data integrity, reduces complexity, and enhances modularity in software design.
Developers should learn and apply encapsulation to build robust, maintainable, and secure software systems, as it prevents unintended interference and misuse of data by external code. It is essential in scenarios like banking applications where sensitive account balances must be protected, or in large-scale projects where modular code reduces dependencies and eases debugging. By enforcing access controls (e.g., private or public members), encapsulation supports good software engineering practices like information hiding and abstraction.