wrapper

Wrapper is a general term used across packaging, software, and cryptography to describe an entity that encloses or surrounds another component to provide a protective layer, interface adaptation, or added functionality. In packaging and consumer goods, wrappers are materials such as paper, foil, or plastic used to cover products, protect them from damage, and facilitate handling and branding.

In software engineering, a wrapper is code that encapsulates another component to modify or adapt its interface or behavior. This can take several forms: wrapper functions or methods that forward calls to an underlying function while performing pre- or post-processing; wrapper classes that delegate to a wrapped object, often changing the exposed API; and API or language wrappers that present a higher-level, safer, or more convenient interface to a library or service. The wrapper pattern is a structural design pattern in which the wrapper contains the wrapped object and delegates work, possibly transforming inputs or outputs.

Key wrapping in cryptography refers to algorithms that encrypt and integrity-protect cryptographic keys to enable secure storage or transmission.

In command-line and scripting contexts, a wrapper script or command wraps an existing command to automate, customize, or standardize invocation. Wrappers are evaluated for preserving the wrapped component’s behavior, avoiding unnecessary complexity, and preventing security or maintenance issues.