Encapsulating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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encapsulating

[ษชnหˆkรฆpsjสŠหŒleษชtษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

in programming

Encapsulating refers to the process of combining data and functions into a single unit called a class. This allows for better organization of code, data hiding, and modularity.

Synonyms

concealing, enclosing, wrapping.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
encapsulating

Best used when referring to the act of summarizing or condensing information into a brief form.

  • She's good at encapsulating her ideas into concise summaries.
  • The report encapsulates the main findings of the study.
enclosing

Used when talking about surrounding something with borders or a structure. Often used in physical contexts.

  • The garden is enclosed by a wooden fence.
  • Enclosing the area with glass walls will keep it quiet.
wrapping

Typically used to describe the act of covering something with a material, often used in the context of gifts or food.

  • She spent the morning wrapping Christmas presents.
  • He was wrapping the sandwich with foil for lunch.
concealing

Used when you want to describe the act of hiding something or keeping it secret. It can have a negative connotation.

  • He was concealing his true intentions from the team.
  • She wore a scarf, concealing her face from the cold wind.

Examples of usage

  • Encapsulating data within a class helps prevent direct access from outside code.
  • Encapsulating functions with data ensures that they are closely tied together for better maintainability.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In medicine, encapsulating drugs can improve how they are delivered in the body, protecting them until they reach their target.
  • Scientists use encapsulation techniques to preserve cells for research, ensuring they remain viable during experiments.
  • In environmental science, encapsulating hazardous materials can prevent them from leaking into the environment.

Literature

  • Authors often encapsulate complex narratives into concise summaries, allowing readers to grasp the main ideas quickly.
  • In poetry, encapsulating emotions in a few lines can create powerful imagery and resonance with the reader.
  • Literature reviews encapsulate themes and key findings, providing scholars with insights without reading every original text.

Technology

  • In software development, encapsulating code helps to protect data by restricting access to certain variables and functions.
  • Web development uses encapsulation to bundle together HTML, CSS, and JavaScript so they can work simultaneously without conflicts.
  • Mobile apps often encapsulate information into smaller packages for quicker downloads and access.

Psychology

  • Encapsulation can refer to simplifying emotions or experiences, making them easier to manage or understand.
  • Therapists sometimes help people encapsulate painful memories to lessen their emotional weight and improve mental health.
  • Cognitive psychologists study how encapsulating thoughts can aid in decision-making, such as forming a 'snapshot' of an event.

Origin of 'encapsulating'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'capsula', meaning a small container, which later evolved to describe enclosing something entirely.
  • The prefix 'en-' means to cause something to be in a particular state, so 'encapsulating' means to cause something to be in a small container.
  • The concept has been used in various fields such as medicine, computing, and linguistics since the 19th century.

The term 'encapsulating' originated from the field of object-oriented programming, where the concept of encapsulation plays a crucial role in software development. It was first introduced in the 1960s as a way to bundle data and functions together to improve code structure and maintainability.


See also: encapsulation.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,350 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.