Data Abstraction is showing essential information to the user but hiding the background details. In this article we would be understanding Data Abstraction in C++. Following pointers will be covered in this article,
So let us get started with this article,
Abstraction In C++
Consider an example
A person uses a mobile phone unless he is from an IT or ECE background he does not know anything other then what buttons to press. This is a proper example of Data Abstraction.
There are two ways of implementing Data Abstraction in C++:
Abstraction Using Classes
In classes, we use access specifiers to bring about data abstraction.
Abstraction using header files
We use a different function from different header files, but we do not know any of the implementation details.
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Abstraction Using Specifiers
We can implement Abstraction by using access specifiers. They give the programmer the control on what data or functions are to be made visible to the user and what is kept a secret. There are three main access specifiers,
Private: Abstraction In C++:
When data member or member functions are made private, it can only be accessed inside the class and no one outside the class can access it.
Public: Abstraction In C++:
When data member or member functions are made public, it can be accessed by everyone.
Protected: Abstraction In C++:
Protected Access Specifier is a special kind of access specifier. When data member or member functions are made protected, it works similarly to private and it can be accessed to members of the class.
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Types Of Abstraction
There are 2 types of abstraction,
Data Abstraction
Hiding the details about the data is called data abstraction.
Control Abstraction
Hiding the details about the implementation is called control abstraction.
Advantages Of Abstraction
Only you can make changes to your data or function and no one else can.
Makes the application secure by not allowing anyone else to see the background details.
Increases reusability of the code.
Avoids duplication of your code.
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Sample Code
#include<iostream>
using namespace std;
class test
{
private:
int x;
public:
test(int a)
{
x =a;
}
int get()
{
return x;
}
};
int main()
{
test a(7);
cout<<"The Number is: "<<a.get();
return 0;
}
Output
Explanation
In the above program, we show the concept of abstraction. We have a private member x which cannot be accessed from the main function. The only way to access it is by creating an object of class test. There is a parameterized constructor, which assigns the value we get from main to x. We have a get method, that returns the value of x.
Inside the main function, we create an object of test class and assign a parameter. This moment the parameterized constructor is called, and it assigns the parameter value to x.
We have a count statement that calls the get function and the number is displayed. This is the basic concept of abstraction. We cannot directly use the private data member in the main function. If we decide to make the display function private and try to access it, we get an error. Encapsulation and Abstraction are the major features of Object-Oriented programming.
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