What does encapsulation mean in object-oriented programming?

Encapsulation refers to the concept in object-oriented programming where data and the methods that operate on that data are bundled together within a single unit, or class. This means that the internal state of an object is hidden from the outside world, allowing access and modification only through a defined interface (typically methods). This serves multiple purposes: it protects the integrity of the data, reduces complexity, and facilitates maintenance.

By keeping the data private and exposing only necessary parts of the class through public methods (like getters and setters), developers can ensure that objects maintain a valid state and enforce any constraints or rules about how the data should be used. This increases the robustness of the code and makes it easier to manage and adapt over time.

Other options relate to different concepts in object-oriented programming. Understanding encapsulation as the bundling of data and methods emphasizes the importance of organizing and safeguarding data within classes, which is fundamental to building reliable systems.