What does object-oriented programming actually mean? Find out inside PCMag's comprehensive tech and computer-related encyclopedia.

Fancy word: encapsulation You can see in the above code sample how the dog object keeps all the properties together. In object-oriented programming, there is a fancy word for this: encapsulation.

One important facet of effective object-oriented design is encapsulation. Encapsulation hides your classes’ inner details from the outside world.