Encapsulation..most precise description?

Question

I know that encapsulation means something like that one object should not have direct access to members of different objects...but I guess it relates to public fields? I assume public methods do not break encapsulation..? I am just not clear here and would be glad for any explanation.

Answer 1

Encapsulation is that you drive your car by:

• turning the ignition key
• steering the wheel
• changing the gears (if not automatic)
• adding the fuel

and not by:

• igniting the fuel in the cylinders
• friction-ing tires and ground
• and so on...

Expose (make public) WHAT and hide (make private) HOW. Now, you're encapsulating.

:)