Why is encapsulation important in object-oriented programming?

Encapsulation is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming that emphasizes the bundling of data with the methods that operate on that data, while restricting direct access to some of the object's components. This is crucial for several reasons.

Firstly, restricting direct access helps to protect the integrity of the data by preventing external code from making uncontrolled modifications. By exposing only the necessary parts of an object through a controlled interface (usually via public methods), it allows the implementation details of the object to remain hidden. This not only enhances security but also aids in maintaining the code, as changes to the internal structure can be made without affecting other parts of the application that rely on the object.

Secondly, encapsulation promotes a modular approach to programming, making it easier to understand and manage code. Since other parts of the program interact with the object's public methods rather than its internal data directly, the complexity is reduced, and developers can focus on higher-level logic rather than the specifics of how data is stored.

In contrast, the other options either misinterpret the role of encapsulation or do not align with its purpose. For instance, redundancy in data and enabling global access contradict the principles of encapsulation by suggesting that data can be freely accessed or duplicated unnecessarily. While encapsulation may influence performance