What describes the data structure that encapsulates data and methods?

The concept of encapsulation is fundamental to object-oriented programming. It refers to the bundling of data (attributes) and methods (functions or procedures) that operate on that data into a single unit known as an object. This encapsulation ensures that the internal state of the object is not exposed directly to the outside world, providing a layer of protection against unintended interference and misuse. By using encapsulation, developers can create clear interfaces for accessing and modifying the data, which promotes modular design and enhances maintainability.

Encapsulation is essential for implementing data hiding and abstraction, allowing users to interact with an object without needing to understand its internal workings. This also facilitates the enforcement of rules for how data can be accessed and modified, contributing to increased security in software development.

Understanding encapsulation is crucial for software developers, as it promotes clean, efficient, and secure code. Other concepts, while relevant in different contexts, do not capture the idea of combining data and methods in the way encapsulation does.