Description: Information hiding is the practice of protecting sensitive data through techniques that prevent unauthorized access. In the realm of cryptography, this is achieved through algorithms that encrypt information, transforming it into an unreadable format for those who do not possess the appropriate key. On the other hand, in software architecture, information hiding refers to the encapsulation of data and the implementation of interfaces that limit the exposure of internal system details, thereby promoting security and software integrity. This practice is fundamental in application development, as it helps prevent vulnerabilities and malicious attacks. Additionally, information hiding fosters user trust by ensuring that their personal and financial data are protected. In summary, information hiding is an essential component of information security, both in data protection and in the design of software systems, ensuring that only authorized parties can access critical information.
History: The concept of information hiding has its roots in ancient cryptography, where techniques such as encryption were used to protect messages. Throughout history, from the use of codes in ancient Greece to the development of modern algorithms in the 20th century, cryptography has evolved significantly. In software architecture, information hiding was formalized in the 1970s with the development of object-oriented design principles, where encapsulation became a fundamental pillar.
Uses: Information hiding is used in various applications, such as protecting personal data in various software systems, securing online financial transactions, and implementing access control systems in software applications. It is also crucial in API development, where the goal is to limit the exposure of sensitive data to users.
Examples: An example of information hiding in cryptography is the use of AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) to encrypt sensitive data. In software architecture, an example would be the use of classes in object-oriented programming, where the attributes of a class are private and only accessible through public methods.
