Western Governors University (WGU) ICSC2211 D684 Introduction to Computer Science Practice Test

Encapsulation is a fundamental principle of object-oriented programming (OOP) because it involves bundling the data (attributes) and methods (functions) that operate on that data into a single unit, known as an object. This concept promotes modularity, as it allows developers to create objects that operate independently while also restricting access to the internal state of the object. By only providing controlled access through defined interfaces (methods), encapsulation helps to protect the integrity of the data and reduce complexity in the system.

In OOP, encapsulation facilitates data hiding, which means that details of the object's implementation are hidden from the outside world. This allows programmers to change the internal implementation of the object without affecting code that relies on the object, thus enhancing maintainability and flexibility.

Other concepts mentioned, such as recursion, iteration, and functional programming, while important in the broader context of computer science, do not encapsulate the essence of object-oriented design as effectively as encapsulation does.