An accessor method, often called a 'getter', is a function used within object-oriented programming to retrieve the value of a private field from a class instance. This design promotes encapsulation by allowing controlled access to an object's internal state, thereby maintaining the integrity of the data while providing necessary information to other parts of the program.

Accessor Method

accessor method

getter

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm centered around the concept of objects, which are instances of classes, encapsulating data and behavior together. This approach promotes code reusability, scalability, and organization through principles such as inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism, and abstraction.

object-oriented programming

A private field is an encapsulation mechanism in object-oriented programming that restricts direct access to the field by code outside the containing class. This ensures that the internal state of an object can only be modified or retrieved through specified methods, maintaining integrity and promoting a robust design.

private field

A class instance is a concrete, tangible representation of a specific object created from a class blueprint, encompassing the attributes and behaviors defined by the class. It allows for object-oriented programming by enabling modular, reusable, and organized code structure underpinning the dynamics of modern software systems.

class instance

Encapsulation is a fundamental principle in object-oriented programming that involves bundling the data and the methods that operate on the data into a single unit, or class, while restricting access to some of the object's components. This concept promotes modularity and enhances security by allowing controlled access and modification of the object's state through defined interfaces, typically using access specifiers like private, protected, and public.

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