What is the Difference Between Encapsulation and Abstraction?

Encapsulation and abstraction are both fundamental concepts in object-oriented programming, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.

Encapsulation:

• Encapsulation is an implementation-level process that binds together the data and the methods that manipulate the data within a single unit.
• It is used to provide privacy and maintain control over the transparency of data at the implementation stage of a project.
• Encapsulation can be implemented using access modifiers like private, protected, and public.
• It focuses on how the data and code are implemented, ensuring that the data is protected from unauthorized access and modifications.

Abstraction:

• Abstraction is a design-level process that simplifies complex systems by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts.
• It provides a more abstract overview of the system, hiding the complexity and focusing on the essential functionality.
• Abstraction can be implemented using abstract classes and interfaces.
• It focuses on the external lookout and what must be done, allowing users to understand the system's functionality without being concerned about the underlying details.

In summary, encapsulation deals with bundling data and methods together and controlling their visibility, while abstraction simplifies complex systems and hides unnecessary details, focusing on the essential functionality.

Comparative Table: Encapsulation vs Abstraction

Here is a table comparing the differences between encapsulation and abstraction:

In summary:

• Encapsulation focuses on how something is done by hiding the data and controlling its visibility. It is achieved using access modifiers and encapsulation methods like getters and setters.
• Abstraction, on the other hand, focuses on what something is done by hiding the details and implementation of the code. Abstraction can be implemented using abstract classes and interfaces.