In the context of software development, what does "data hiding" refer to?

In software development, "data hiding" is a fundamental concept primarily associated with object-oriented programming. It refers to the practice of restricting access to certain data or internal object states to protect them from being modified or accessed directly from outside their containing class or module. By controlling how and when data can be accessed or modified, developers can maintain the integrity and security of data, preventing unintended interference and ensuring that the system operates as intended.

This approach fosters encapsulation, one of the key principles of object-oriented design, and promotes better software maintenance. It allows for the internal workings of a class to change without affecting other parts of the program, as long as the public interface remains consistent. Through data hiding, sensitive information can be safeguarded, helping to reduce risks associated with data corruption and security vulnerabilities.

The other options, while related to data management in different contexts, do not accurately capture the essence of "data hiding." Compressing data does not inherently limit access—it focuses on efficiency in storage or transmission. Storing data in non-accessible formats might obscure it but does not align with the principle of controlled access and protection inherent in data hiding. Similarly, encrypting data is a security measure but does not necessarily address the concept of access restrictions during data execution.