Java Encapsulation

Encapsulation in Java refers to the bundling of data (attributes) and methods that operate on the data within a class, preventing direct access from outside the class. Here's a concise overview:

Definition:

• Encapsulation is the concept of wrapping data (attributes) and methods within a single unit (class), controlling access to the data through methods.

Private Access Modifier:

• Attributes are typically declared as private to restrict direct access from outside the class.
• Example:

class Student {
    private String name;
    private int age;

    // Getter and setter methods...
}

Getter and Setter Methods:

• Getter methods are used to access the values of private attributes.
• Setter methods are used to set the values of private attributes.
• Example:

class Student {
    private String name;
    private int age;

    public String getName() {
        return name;
    }

    public void setName(String name) {
        this.name = name;
    }

    // Similar methods for age attribute...
}

Encapsulation Benefits:

• Data hiding: Prevents direct access to sensitive data, enhancing security.
• Modularity: Promotes code organization and maintenance by grouping related data and methods.
• Flexibility: Allows for easy modification of internal implementation without affecting external code.

Summary

Encapsulation is a fundamental concept of object-oriented programming (OOP) in Java, promoting code integrity and facilitating the creation of robust and maintainable software systems. Understanding how to implement encapsulation using access modifiers and getter/setter methods is essential for building effective Java applications.