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Difference between Abstraction and Encapsulation

Abstraction and encapsulation are key concepts in object-oriented programming that serve different purposes; abstraction focuses on hiding complex implementation details while exposing essential features, and encapsulation bundles data and methods into a single unit while restricting access to protect the object's internal state. Abstraction is achieved through abstract classes and interfaces, while encapsulation is implemented using access modifiers and controlled access methods. Both concepts work together to create robust and maintainable code.

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7 views

Difference between Abstraction and Encapsulation

Abstraction and encapsulation are key concepts in object-oriented programming that serve different purposes; abstraction focuses on hiding complex implementation details while exposing essential features, and encapsulation bundles data and methods into a single unit while restricting access to protect the object's internal state. Abstraction is achieved through abstract classes and interfaces, while encapsulation is implemented using access modifiers and controlled access methods. Both concepts work together to create robust and maintainable code.

Uploaded by

vivek.kurri121
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Abstraction and encapsulation are fundamental concepts in object-oriented

programming (OOP) that often get confused, but they serve different purposes.
Here’s a clear distinction between the two:

### Abstraction

**Definition:** Abstraction is the concept of hiding the complex implementation


details and showing only the essential features of an object. It allows you to
focus on what an object does instead of how it does it.

**Purpose:** The purpose of abstraction is to simplify complex systems by breaking


them down into manageable and understandable parts. It helps in modeling real-world
entities into classes and objects.

**How It’s Achieved:**


- **Abstract Classes:** Classes that cannot be instantiated on their own but can be
inherited. They may contain abstract methods (methods without implementations) that
must be implemented by derived classes.

```csharp
public abstract class Animal
{
public abstract void MakeSound();
}

public class Dog : Animal


{
public override void MakeSound()
{
Console.WriteLine("Woof");
}
}
```

- **Interfaces:** Contracts that define methods and properties without providing


implementations. Classes that implement the interface must provide the method
implementations.

```csharp
public interface IAnimal
{
void MakeSound();
}

public class Cat : IAnimal


{
public void MakeSound()
{
Console.WriteLine("Meow");
}
}
```

### Encapsulation

**Definition:** Encapsulation is the concept of wrapping data (attributes) and


methods (functions) that operate on the data into a single unit, typically a class,
and restricting access to some of the object’s components. It helps to protect the
internal state of the object from unintended interference and misuse.
**Purpose:** The purpose of encapsulation is to safeguard the internal state of an
object and to prevent direct access to its data. This ensures that the object’s
data is modified only through well-defined methods.

**How It’s Achieved:**


- **Access Modifiers:** Keywords that specify the visibility of class members
(e.g., `public`, `private`, `protected`).

```csharp
public class Person
{
private string name;

public string Name


{
get { return name; }
set
{
if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(value))
{
name = value;
}
}
}
}
```

In this example:
- `name` is a private field and cannot be accessed directly from outside the
`Person` class.
- `Name` is a public property that provides controlled access to the private
`name` field.

- **Getters and Setters:** Methods that allow controlled access to the private
fields of a class.

### Summary

- **Abstraction** is about **hiding complex implementation details** and exposing


only what is necessary. It focuses on "what" an object does.
- **Encapsulation** is about **bundling data and methods** into a single unit and
restricting access to some of the object’s components.
It focuses on "how" the data is accessed and modified.

In essence, abstraction provides a simplified view of an object by hiding


complexity,
while encapsulation protects and manages the state of an object by controlling
access to its data.
Both concepts are complementary and often used together to create robust and
maintainable code.

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