Mastering Encapsulation and Data Hiding in Python: A Practical Guide

Safeguarding Your Code with Encapsulation and Data Hiding

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In the world of software development, encapsulation and data hiding are fundamental concepts that promote code organization, maintainability, and security. Python, a versatile and widely-used programming language, provides built-in mechanisms to implement these principles effectively.

In this article, we’ll explore encapsulation and data hiding in Python, their importance, and how to leverage them in your projects.

Understanding Encapsulation

Encapsulation is the practice of bundling data and methods that operate on that data within a single unit, known as a class. This approach helps in achieving data abstraction, where the internal implementation details of an object are hidden from the outside world.

By encapsulating data and methods, you can control access to the object’s state, ensuring that it is modified only through well-defined interfaces. Here’s a simple example of encapsulation in Python:

class BankAccount:
    def __init__(self, account_number, balance):
        self._account_number = account_number  # Protected attribute
        self._balance = balance  # Protected attribute…