Encapsulation

In regards to object-orientated programming, encapsulation is defined as the inclusion within an object of all resources needed for the object to function. In other words, it refers to specific methods and data being used. The primary object is said to publish it’s own interfaces. Others adhere to those interfaces in order to use the object without concern of how the function is accomplished. An object is often viewed as a self-contained atom while the object interface consists of various methods and instantiated data. In the field of telecommunications, encapsulation is defined as the inclusion of one data structure within another, hiding the first structure for the time being. For instance, a data packet formatted in TCP/IP can be encapsulated with an ATM frame. As it relates to sending and receiving an ATM frame, an encapsulated packet is merely a stream of bits between the ATM data that specifies the transfer.