What programming concept does encapsulation refer to?

Encapsulation refers to the concept of shielding or hiding the internal state of an object from outside interference and misuse. It is a fundamental principle of object-oriented programming that helps in bundling the data (attributes) and the methods (functions) that operate on that data into a single unit, or class. By limiting access to certain components, encapsulation ensures that the object's internal state can only be changed through well-defined methods, thus preventing unintended interactions that could compromise the integrity of the object.

In this context, shielding serves to protect the internal workings of an object, ensuring that its data is accessed and manipulated only through controlled interfaces. This not only enhances security but also promotes a modular design, making it easier to maintain and update code since the implementation details can be changed without affecting outside code.