Introduction to Encapsulation: The Big Picture

Now that you understand Private Variables (the vault) and Getters/Setters (the security guards), you have already learned the core components of a larger concept called Encapsulation.

What is Encapsulation?

Think of a capsule (medicine). The medicine powder is sealed inside the capsule shell. You swallow the capsule, but you don't touch the powder directly. The shell protects the medicine and delivers it safely.

Encapsulation is similar in programming. It involves bundling data (attributes) and methods (behaviors) together into a single unit (a class) and restricting direct access to some of that data.

It is not just about "hiding" data; it's about control. You are creating a safe, self-contained unit where the internal machinery (private variables) is protected, and the only way to interact with it is through a clean, safe interface (public methods)​

You have already built an encapsulated system in the Bank Account example!