Define "encapsulation" in programming.

Encapsulation in programming is the concept of bundling data (attributes) and the methods (functions) that operate on that data into a single unit, typically a class. This principle enables the organization of code and fosters better management of the data and behavior associated with an object. Through encapsulation, data can be kept safe from outside interference and misuse, as access to an object's inner workings can be restricted through access modifiers (like private, protected, and public).

This encapsulation ensures that an object's internal state can only be altered in well-defined ways, which supports the integrity and reliability of the program. It also enhances modularity, making it easier to make changes and maintain the code over time, as the internal implementation of the class can change without affecting external code that uses the class.

The other options touch on concepts related to object-oriented programming, such as inheritance and abstraction, but they do not accurately define encapsulation.