Which term refers to restricting access to certain components within an object?

The term that refers to restricting access to certain components within an object is encapsulation. Encapsulation is a fundamental principle of object-oriented programming that allows an object to bundle its data (attributes) and methods (functions) into a single unit, while also controlling access to the internal state of that object.

By restricting access, encapsulation helps maintain the integrity of the object's data. It prevents external code from directly manipulating the object's internal attributes, which could lead to inconsistencies or unexpected behaviors. Instead, access is typically provided through public methods, often referred to as getters and setters, which can enforce rules or restrictions before allowing interaction with the internal state.

In contrast, abstraction refers to simplifying complex systems by providing a modeled view while hiding unnecessary details. Inheritance allows one class to inherit properties and behaviors from another, promoting code reuse. Polymorphism enables a single interface to represent different underlying data types, enhancing flexibility in code execution. Thus, these principles serve different purposes in object-oriented design, making encapsulation uniquely associated with the concept of restricting access.