Python Encapsulation
Python Encapsulation is the process of wrapping data and methods in a single unit. A class itself is an example of encapsulation, as it wraps data members and methods in a single unit.
class Car:
def __init__(self, car_type, seating_capacity):
self.car_type = car_type
self.seating_capacity = seating_capacity
def car_details(self):
print("This is a ", self.car_type, "with seating capacity of ", self.seating_capacity )
model_3 = Car("Sedan", 5)
model_3.car_details()
Advantages of Encapsulation
1. Data Hiding:
Encapsulation helps in hiding the internal details of a class from the outside world. It allows you to make certain attributes or methods private or protected, preventing direct access from outside the class. This ensures that the implementation details are not exposed to the external code, promoting a more robust and secure design.
2. Code Organization:
Encapsulation helps in more organized code structure. Grouping related data and behavior into a class makes it easier to understand and maintain the code.
3. Code Reusability:
Encapsulation facilitates code reuse by encapsulating related functionality into a class. Once a class is defined, it can be instantiated and reused in different parts of the program.
4. Enhanced Security:
By restricting direct access to certain attributes and methods, encapsulation helps in creating a protective barrier around the data of a class. This prevents unintended modifications and enhances the overall security of the program.
5. Easy Debugging and Testing:
Encapsulation makes it easier to isolate and debug issues within a class. It also simplifies the testing process, as you can focus on testing the public interface of a class without worrying about its internal implementation details.
Access Modifiers
In Python, we have access modifiers to restrict the access of the variables and methods of the class. They actually control the visibility and accessibility of the class variables(attributes) and methods.
Python has three types of the access modifiers:
- Public Members
- Protected Members
- Private Members
Public Members
When no access modifier is specified with the variable and methods, then they are public by default. These are accessible from within the class and outside the class. No keyword is used by the public members.
class Car:
def __init__(self, car_type, seating_capacity):
self.car_type = car_type
self.seating_capacity = seating_capacity
def car_details(self):
print("This is a ", self.car_type, "with seating capacity of ", self.seating_capacity )
model_3 = Car("Sedan", 5)
print(model_3.car_type)
model_3.car_details()
Protected Members
These are accessible from within the class and also from its subclasses.
To make any member protected, we add a single underscore as the prefix of the variable name.
class car:
def __init__(self, car_type, cost):
self.car_type = car_type
self._cost = cost
"""
def car_details(self):
print("This is a", self.car_type, ".")
def car_cost(self):
print("It's cost is",self._cost)
"""
class electric_sedan(car):
def __init__(self, engine_type, car_type, cost):
self.engine_type = engine_type
car.__init__(self, car_type, cost)
def car_details(self):
print("This is a", self.engine_type, "car and costs",self._cost)
e_car = electric_sedan("Electric", "Sedan", 25000)
e_car.car_details()
Private Members
These are accessible from within the class only. Even objects of the class cannot access them.
To make any member private, we add two underscores as the prefix of the variable names.
class Car:
def __init__(self, car_type, cost):
self.car_type = car_type
self.__cost = cost
def car_details(self):
print("This is a", self.car_type, ".")
def car_cost(self):
print("It's cost is",self.__cost)
model_3 = Car("Sedan", 25000)
model_3.__cost
model_3.car_cost()
Access Modifiers Summary
