Question

    What is the primary purpose of using private class members in object-oriented programming?

    A To allow unrestricted access to the class members from any part of the code. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B To enable derived classes to access and modify the base class members directly. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C To restrict access to the class members to only within the class itself, ensuring encapsulation and data hiding. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D To make class members accessible to other classes in the same package or module. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E To automatically generate getter and setter methods for class members. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    In object-oriented programming (OOP), private class members (such as variables or methods) are used to enforce encapsulation and data hiding. Here’s a detailed explanation of their purpose and benefits: • Encapsulation: Private class members are intended to be accessible only within the class that defines them. This encapsulation helps in hiding the internal state and implementation details of the class from the outside world, allowing the class to maintain control over its own data and behavior. • Data Hiding: By making members private, a class can prevent external code from directly accessing or modifying its internal data. This ensures that the internal state of an object is protected from unintended or unauthorized changes, which can help maintain the integrity and consistency of the object's state.

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