Abstraction vs. Encapsulation: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Abstraction is simplifying complex reality by modeling classes appropriate to the problem, while encapsulation is hiding the internal state of an object and requiring all interaction to be performed through an object's methods.
Key Differences
Abstraction in software design allows for handling complexity by focusing on the essential qualities of an object, rather than its specific details. It's about creating a simple model that represents complex entities in a manageable way. Encapsulation, on the other hand, is a technique used to protect the state of an object from outside interference and misuse. It involves bundling the data with the methods that operate on that data.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
In abstraction, the emphasis is on what an object does, rather than how it does it, allowing for a more generalized and flexible approach. It involves creating a general concept or model that can be applied in various contexts. Encapsulation ensures that the internal workings of an object are hidden from the outside, presenting a clean and understandable interface. This protects the integrity of the data and the object's functionality.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Abstraction helps in reducing complexity by generalizing the more specific entities, making the design more understandable. It is about identifying the common aspects of different objects and creating a generalized model. Encapsulation, in contrast, is about maintaining a clear boundary between an object's internal structure and its external interface. It allows changes to be made inside an object without affecting the external parts that interact with it.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
While abstraction focuses on creating a simplified, universal model, encapsulation focuses on safeguarding the object's data and functionalities, allowing changes to be made internally without impacting external interactions. Abstraction is more about a conceptual framework, whereas encapsulation is about practical implementation and maintaining a controlled environment for an object's operations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Both abstraction and encapsulation are fundamental concepts in object-oriented programming (OOP). Abstraction allows programmers to handle complexity by focusing on the essential attributes of an object. Encapsulation, in contrast, helps in data hiding, ensuring that object’s data is safe from unintended alterations, thus maintaining data integrity and security.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Simplifying complexity by focusing on essential qualities
Hiding the internal state and requiring interaction via methods
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Nov 17, 2023
Purpose
To create a generalized model applicable in different contexts
To protect object's data and functionality from outside interference
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Nov 17, 2023
Emphasis
On what an object does (general behavior)
On how an object's operations are implemented (data protection)
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Nov 17, 2023
Use in OOP
For handling complexity and creating flexible models
For maintaining data integrity and controlled object interaction
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
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Abstraction and Encapsulation Definitions
Abstraction
Abstraction is the process of focusing on essential qualities rather than specific characteristics.
In a car model, abstraction involves focusing on aspects like speed and fuel efficiency, rather than specific engine design.
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Nov 16, 2023
Encapsulation
Encapsulation ensures that the internal representation of an object is hidden from its external representation.
A TV remote encapsulates the complexity of its electronic circuits, presenting simple buttons to the user.
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Nov 16, 2023
Abstraction
Abstraction is a method of simplifying complex systems by modeling key aspects.
In software design, abstraction allows representing a user as an object with attributes like name and email, ignoring their physical characteristics.
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Nov 16, 2023
Encapsulation
Encapsulation is a mechanism of hiding the internal state of objects from the outside.
A smartphone encapsulates its internal circuitry, exposing only the user interface to the users.
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Nov 16, 2023
Abstraction
Abstraction involves creating a generalized, simplified model of a more complex reality.
In mathematics, using variables like 'x' and 'y' is an abstraction to represent numbers in equations.
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Encapsulation
Encapsulation is the technique of making the fields in a class private and providing access through public methods.
A class encapsulates its data fields and provides getters and setters to interact with them.
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Nov 16, 2023
Encapsulation
Encapsulation involves restricting direct access to some of an object's components.
In a class, private variables are encapsulated to prevent direct modification from outside the class.
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Nov 16, 2023
Encapsulation
Encapsulation is the bundling of data and methods that operate on the data within one unit.
In a banking system, encapsulation is used to combine account data with methods to deposit or withdraw, keeping this information private.
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Nov 16, 2023
Encapsulation
To express in a brief summary; epitomize
Headlines that encapsulate the news.
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Abstraction
The act of abstracting, separating, withdrawing, or taking away; withdrawal; the state of being taken away.
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Oct 19, 2023
Encapsulation
The act of enclosing in a capsule; the growth of a membrane around (any part) so as to enclose it in a capsule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstraction
(euphemistic) The taking surreptitiously for one's own use part of the property of another; purloining.
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Oct 19, 2023
Encapsulation
Grouping together an object’s ‘state’ (its data) and the operations that may alter or interrogate it (its methods).
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Encapsulation
(networking) The process of arranging data into packets that can be transmitted using a given protocol.
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Abstraction
A separation from worldly objects; a recluse life; the withdrawal from one's senses.
A hermit's abstraction
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Oct 19, 2023
Encapsulation
The act of inclosing in a capsule; the growth of a membrane around (any part) so as to inclose it in a capsule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstraction
The act of focusing on one characteristic of an object rather than the object as a whole group of characteristics; the act of separating said qualities from the object or ideas.
Abstraction is necessary for the classification of things into genera and species.
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Oct 19, 2023
Encapsulation
The condition of being enclosed (as in a capsule);
The encapsulation of tendons in membranous sheaths
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Abstraction
Any characteristic of an individual object when that characteristic has been separated from the object and is contemplated alone as a quality having independent existence.
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Abstraction
A member of an idealized subgroup when contemplated according to the abstracted quality which defines the subgroup.
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Abstraction
The act of comparing commonality between distinct objects and organizing using those similarities; the act of generalizing characteristics; the product of said generalization.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstraction
An idea or notion of an abstract or theoretical nature.
To fight for mere abstractions.
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Abstraction
Absence or absorption of mind; inattention to present objects; preoccupation.
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Abstraction
(art) An abstract creation, or piece of art; qualities of artwork that are free from representational aspects.
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Abstraction
(chemistry) A separation of volatile parts by the act of distillation.
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Abstraction
The result of mentally abstracting an idea; the product of any mental process involving a synthesis of: separation, despecification, generalization, and ideation in any of a number of combinations.
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Abstraction
(geology) The merging of two river valleys by the larger of the two deepening and widening so much so, as to assimilate the smaller.
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Abstraction
(computing) Any generalization technique that ignores or hides details to capture some kind of commonality between different instances for the purpose of controlling the intellectual complexity of engineered systems, particularly software systems.
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Abstraction
(computing) Any intellectual construct produced through the technique of abstraction.
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Abstraction
The act of abstracting, separating, or withdrawing, or the state of being withdrawn; withdrawal.
A wrongful abstraction of wealth from certain members of the community.
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Abstraction
The act process of leaving out of consideration one or more properties of a complex object so as to attend to others; analysis. Thus, when the mind considers the form of a tree by itself, or the color of the leaves as separate from their size or figure, the act is called abstraction. So, also, when it considers whiteness, softness, virtue, existence, as separate from any particular objects.
Abstraction is no positive act: it is simply the negative of attention.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstraction
An idea or notion of an abstract, or theoretical nature; as, to fight for mere abstractions.
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Abstraction
A separation from worldly objects; a recluse life; as, a hermit's abstraction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstraction
The taking surreptitiously for one's own use part of the property of another; purloining.
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Oct 19, 2023
Abstraction
A concept or idea not associated with any specific instance;
He loved her only in the abstract--not in person
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Abstraction
The process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
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Abstraction
A general concept formed by extracting common features from specific examples
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Abstraction
Abstraction is the practice of identifying common patterns in specific entities.
Abstracting animals in a taxonomy involves categorizing them based on shared traits like mammals or reptiles, rather than individual species.
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Nov 16, 2023
Abstraction
Abstraction is the extraction of essential details about an item or group of items.
Abstracting the concept of a 'vehicle' focuses on transportation means, irrespective of whether it's a car, bike, or bus.
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Nov 16, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does Abstraction help in programming?
It helps manage complexity by creating simplified, generalized models of complex entities.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
What is the main purpose of Abstraction?
To reduce complexity and focus on essential aspects applicable across various contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Can you give an example of Encapsulation?
A class in OOP that keeps its data fields private and provides public methods for interaction.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Does Abstraction involve data hiding?
No, it's more about simplifying and generalizing than hiding data.
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Nov 17, 2023
What is Abstraction?
Abstraction is simplifying complex reality by focusing on the essential, general characteristics.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Can you give an example of Abstraction?
Representing different types of vehicles under a generalized class 'Vehicle' is an example.
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Nov 17, 2023
Can Abstraction and Encapsulation be used together?
Yes, they are often used together in object-oriented programming for efficient and secure code.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
What is Encapsulation?
Encapsulation involves bundling data with methods and hiding internal states from outside interference.
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Nov 17, 2023
Why is Encapsulation important in OOP?
It protects data integrity and prevents external parts from directly interacting with the internal state.
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Nov 17, 2023
How does Encapsulation contribute to software security?
By hiding the internal state and details, it prevents unauthorized access and modification.
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Nov 17, 2023
Is Encapsulation about simplifying concepts?
No, it's more about data protection and providing a controlled way to interact with an object's data.
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Nov 17, 2023
Can Encapsulation exist without Abstraction?
Yes, encapsulation can be implemented independently of abstraction.
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Nov 17, 2023
Is Encapsulation the same as data hiding?
Data hiding is a part of encapsulation, but encapsulation also includes bundling data with methods.
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Nov 17, 2023
Is Encapsulation mandatory in OOP?
While not mandatory, it's a highly recommended practice for data protection and integrity.
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Nov 17, 2023
Does Encapsulation slow down system performance?
While it might add a layer of complexity, it doesn't significantly impact system performance.
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Nov 17, 2023
Can Abstraction lead to oversimplification?
If not properly implemented, it can oversimplify and miss important specifics.
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Nov 17, 2023
How does Abstraction differ from Encapsulation?
Abstraction is about simplifying complex entities, while encapsulation is about protecting and controlling access to an object's data and methods.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Does Abstraction make software development easier?
Yes, by focusing on essential qualities, it makes managing and understanding complex systems easier.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Is Abstraction only applicable to OOP?
No, it's a concept that can be applied in various programming paradigms and even outside of programming.
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Nov 17, 2023
Are Abstraction and Encapsulation interdependent?
They are complementary but not dependent on each other; each serves its own purpose in OOP.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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