Difference Between Abstraction and Encapsulation in C#

Difference Between Abstraction and Encapsulation in C#

Both Abstraction and Encapsulation are fundamental principles of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). They may sound similar, but they address different concerns:

 

What is Abstraction?

• Abstraction is the process of hiding the implementation details and showing only the essential features of an object.
• It focuses on what an object does, rather than how it does it.
• Implemented using:
• Interfaces
• Abstract classes

Example:

public interface IPrinter

{

    void Print();

}

 

public class LaserPrinter : IPrinter

{

    public void Print()

    {

        // complex logic hidden

        Console.WriteLine("Printing document...");

    }

}

In this example, the interface abstracts the printing operation. The user only knows about Print() but not the internal steps.

 

What is Encapsulation?

• Encapsulation is the process of binding data (fields) and methods that manipulate the data into a single unit (class), and restricting direct access to some of the object's components.
• It protects the object’s integrity by preventing unintended interference.
• Achieved using access modifiers like private, protected, public.

Example:

public class BankAccount

{

    private decimal balance;

 

    public void Deposit(decimal amount)

    {

        if (amount > 0)

            balance += amount;

    }

 

    public decimal GetBalance()

    {

        return balance;

    }

}

Here, the internal balance is encapsulated. It can’t be directly accessed or modified from outside the class.

 

Key Differences Between Abstraction and Encapsulation

Feature	Abstraction	Encapsulation
Purpose	Hides complexity; shows only relevant data	Hides data; restricts direct access
Focus	On what the object does	On how data is protected and accessed
Implementation	Interfaces, abstract classes	Classes with private fields and public methods
Used For	Designing clean APIs and contracts	Securing internal object state
Visibility	Hides implementation details	Hides data/internal state

 

Summary

• Abstraction is about design: exposing necessary functionality while hiding internal logic.
• Encapsulation is about security and control: bundling data and controlling access.

In practice, both are used together:

• Abstraction helps reduce complexity.
• Encapsulation helps protect and organize the internal state.