In object-oriented programming, what is encapsulation?

Encapsulation in object-oriented programming refers to the practice of bundling the data (attributes) and methods (functions) that operate on the data into a single unit known as a class. One of the key principles of encapsulation is that it restricts direct access to some of an object's components, which is a way to protect the integrity of the data. By hiding the internal state and requiring all interactions to be performed through well-defined methods, encapsulation helps to prevent unintended interference and misuse of the object's data.

This principle allows for a clear separation between the internal workings of a class and how it is used, promoting a modular approach to programming. For example, if a class has private data members, external code cannot directly access these members, making it possible to enforce certain constraints or business rules through the public methods that serve as interfaces.

In contrast, the ability to inherit traits from other classes pertains to inheritance, which is another fundamental concept of object-oriented programming. Creating multiple objects relates to instantiation, while converting code into object code is part of the compilation process. Thus, encapsulation is specifically centered on managing the visibility and access of data and functions within a class.