What is data encapsulation in C++?
C++ Encapsulation Introduction Encapsulation is the process of combining data and functions into a single unit called class. Using the method of encapsulation, the programmer cannot directly access the data. Data is only accessible through the functions present inside the class. Data encapsulation led to the important concept of data hiding. Data hiding is the implementation details of a class that are hidden from the user. The concept of restricted access led programmers to write specialized functions or methods for performing the operations on hidden members of the class. Attention must be paid to ensure that the class is designed properly. Neither too much access nor too much control must be placed on the operations in order to make the class user friendly. Hiding the implementation details and providing restrictive access leads to the concept of abstract data type. Encapsulation leads to the concept of data hiding, but the concept of encapsulation must not be restricted to informat
Data encapsulation is connected to the principle of least privilege — think need to know basis. You protect yourself by limiting the user’s access to the underlying workings of a data structure. In C++ you’re talking classes. most data members will be declared as ‘private’ and then member functions (which are sometimes called methods) will be written to change the data. At the start of learning these ideas it seems a really roundabout way to do things. When you get into more complex data structures you will see some situations where a change in one attribute requires modification of the others and your provided method for changing the said attribute will guarantee that the others are changed as needed. Giving the client (in this case whatever programmer is utilizing the class you wrote) direct access to the data gives them power to circumvent those relationships between attributes which would almost likely cause unwanted behavior which they would probably blame you for.
