What is encapsulation in object-oriented programming?

Encapsulation in object-oriented programming refers to the principle of bundling the data (attributes) and the methods (functions) that operate on that data into a single unit known as a class. This concept not only helps in organizing and structuring code but also enhances data protection by restricting direct access to some of an object's components. Through encapsulation, you can expose only necessary parts of an object while hiding the internal workings. This leads to better maintenance, easier debugging, and improved abstraction since users of a class interact with its public interface without needing to understand the underlying implementation. The encapsulation principle promotes the idea of a controlled interface through getters and setters, which allow for controlled access and updates to data attributes.