encapsulation, typing & other questions

[Tim Legant]

Jeff Shannon <jeff at ccvcorp.com> writes:

> (Note that Python *does* have some level of data hiding, but it's deliberately
> easy to circumvent.  Instead of enforcing secrecy, it simply asks "Please don't
> look at this"... )

And quite frankly, C++, with it's strict type system and much-vaunted
data-hiding tools, can be circumvented with a couple lines of code:

  #define private   public
  #define protected public
  #include <class_whose_members_I_want_to_rape.h>

It's actually more difficult in Python, since you have to remember and
use the mangled name for each access.  It all comes down to
self-discipline.


Tim