Question

In a Python class, how do you hide an attribute from code outside the class?

Short answer

Answer: To access a hidden attribute within a Python class, you can create methods inside the class that interacts with the hidden attribute. These methods can be used for getting or modifying the value of the hidden attribute. For example, you can create `get_age` and `set_age` methods to access a hidden '__age' attribute within the 'Person' class.

Step-by-step solution

Understand encapsulation and hidden attributes

Encapsulation is a principle in object-oriented programming that helps in hiding and protecting data from external access and modification. In Python, we can "hide" an attribute from code outside the class by making it a private attribute. A private attribute is created by using double underscores (__) as a prefix before the attribute name.

Create a Python class with a hidden attribute

To create a Python class with a hidden/private attribute, you need to use the double underscores (__) before the attribute name. For example, let's create a class called 'Person' with a hidden attribute named '__age'. ```python class Person: def __init__(self, age): self.__age = age # ... other methods ```

Access the hidden attribute within the class

Although the attribute is hidden and cannot be accessed directly from outside the class, it could be accessed within the class using methods or functions. In the 'Person' class, we can create a method to get and modify the '__age' attribute. ```python class Person: def __init__(self, age): self.__age = age def get_age(self): return self.__age def set_age(self, age): if age >= 0: self.__age = age else: print("Invalid age") # ... other methods ```

Create an object of the class and access the hidden attribute using methods

Now, you can create an object for the 'Person' class and use the 'get_age' and 'set_age' methods to access and modify the hidden '__age' attribute. ```python person1 = Person(25) print(person1.get_age()) # Output: 25 person1.set_age(30) print(person1.get_age()) # Output: 30 # Trying to access the hidden attribute directly from outside the class will result in an error print(person1.__age) # AttributeError: 'Person' object has no attribute '__age' ```