OOP is an acronym for Object-Oriented Programming. It is a design method describing a data structure’s data type and the operations to manipulate it.
We can think of the data structure as an object with functions and data along these lines. Moreover, we can derive relationships between objects A and B. For instance, an object can take on attributes of other things through inheritance.
The Basic OOP concept
A few basics are what you need to get you booted into coding. The following are a few definitions to help you understand object-oriented programming better.
- Abstraction: This is an OOP concept dedicated to handling complexities by concealing unnecessary program details from its users. The user is only presented with the relevant information, allowing for efficient design and implantation of a program.
- Objects: The individual entity comprising variables, functions, and procedures to manipulate data. A thing is also an instantiation of a class.
- Class: A collection of objects. Categories describe the mutual attributes of different things belonging to them. It also serves as a template for generating or instantiating definite objects within a program.
- Encapsulation: This is the step-by-step process that combines data and methods that work on that data within a single unit, for instance, a Java class. This concept is also applied to hiding the internal representation of an object from its environment. To access the data, rules state that you have to go through the functions of that class.
- Information hiding: Obscuring details of a function or an object. Information hiding is a powerful tool as it reduces intricacy.
- Inheritance: It is a way through which new objects can take on the attributes of existing objects. This feature represents the “is” connection between diverse classes.
- Interface: The codes and languages that applications use to refer to each other and with the hardware. It’s also a programming syntax responsible for imposing certain attributes of an object.
- Polymorphism: Means many forms. It is an OOP technique that provides a single interface to multiple entities of diverse types. A message can be made to take different display forms through polymorphism. This is akin to a person behaving differently in different situations.
- Procedures are sections of programs tasked with specific jobs.
Why OOP is important in programming
You might wonder why you take so much interest in objects and classes. The simple reason is that, unlike procedural programming techniques, object-oriented programming enables developers to create modules that remain unchanged even if a new data type is added.
They must create a new object and grant it properties of previously created things through inheritance. This makes OOP easy to modify.
UML
Unified Modelling Language is a standardized language for modeling systems whereby developers can visualize, construct, and document their systems using integrated diagrams.
What is C++?
It is the C language with added object-oriented features. It is popular for graphical applications.
Java Programming Language
Though it has a syntax similar to C’s, Java portrays platform independence as programs can run on any Java Virtual Machine.
Learning Resources
There are lots of online resources for learning OOP. For instance, High School Technology Services offers 30 hours of language-agnostic classes to high school and middle school students. Likewise, some training schools like Coding Bootcamp Institute focus on UML while teaching OOP based on a specific programming language. The focus is to approach OOP from a project management standpoint.
About Author
Matt Zand is a programmer, businessman, IT Consultant, and writer. He is the founder and owner of WEG2G Group. He is also the founder of DC Web Makers. His hobbies are hiking, biking, outdoor activities, traveling, and mountain climbing.
