08 Dec 2023




Intermediate

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a way of organizing and structuring code based on the concept of objects, which represent real-world things and their interactions in a software system. OOP uses classes to define these objects, and it emphasizes principles like abstraction, encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism for creating modular and reusable code.

Summary of key concepts in OOP:

  1. Class:

    • A blueprint or template for creating objects.
    • Defines the properties (attributes) and behaviors (methods) that objects of the class will have.
  2. Object:

    • An instance of a class.
    • Represents a real-world entity and encapsulates data and methods that operate on that data.
  3. Encapsulation:

    • Encapsulation is the concept of wrapping data (attributes or properties) and methods (functions or behaviors) into a single unit called a class.
    • The purpose of encapsulation is to prevent direct access to data from outside. Instead, the data can only be accessed through the class's getter methods. Encapsulation is a way of protecting data and providing controlled access, ensuring that data is only accessed according to the class's public interface.
  4. Inheritance:

    • Inheritance enables one class to inherit properties and characteristics from another class. The class whose properties and characteristics are inherited is known as the base class or parent class. The class that inherits the properties from the base class is known as the derived class or child class.
    • Promotes code reusability and establishes a hierarchy among classes.
  5. Polymorphism:

    • The word "polymorphism" came from two Greek words: poly meaning "many," and morphos meaning "forms."
    • Polymorphism is a key concept in object-oriented programming (OOP) that allows objects to take on different forms or behave in different ways depending on the context in which they are used. This is achieved through the use of inheritance, interfaces, and method overriding.
  6. Abstraction:

    • Abstraction is the process of hiding the internal details of an object and exposing only the essential functionalities and properties relevant to its use.
    • It focuses on what the object does (its interface) rather than how it does it (its implementation).
    • This allows users to interact with objects without needing to understand their intricate internal workings, simplifying code and improving maintainability.