What is the use of properties in encapsulation?

Short answer: Properties provide controlled access to private fields. Enable validation, read-only/write-only access, and future flexibility. Example: private int score;

Example code

public int Score
{ get { return score; } set { if (value >= 0) score = value; } // validation
}

Real-world example (ShopNest)

ShopNest’s Order keeps _items private and exposes AddItem() so totals stay correct—callers cannot put a negative quantity directly into the list.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.