Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm that uses "objects" to design applications and computer programs. These objects are created using the class definition and represent real-world entities. The principles of OOP make it possible for software developers to create, modify, and maintain software systems more efficiently.
Object-Oriented Programming is a method of structuring a program by bundling related properties and behaviors into individual objects. In OOP, computer programs are designed by making them out of objects that interact with one another. This is in contrast to conventional functional programming practice that makes use of functions, logic, and mathematical computations.
There are four fundamental principles in OOP: Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, and Abstraction.
Encapsulation is the mechanism of hiding data (variables) and methods within an object from the outside scope, or the world. It is also known as data hiding. The main purpose of encapsulation is to protect data from outside interference and misuse.
Inheritance is a mechanism in which one class acquires the properties (methods and fields) of another class. The class that gives the properties is known as the superclass, and the class that acquires the properties is known as the subclass. Inheritance allows for code reusability and method overriding.
Polymorphism is the ability of an object to take on many forms. The most common use of polymorphism in OOP occurs when a parent class reference is used to refer to a child class object. It allows us to perform a single action in different ways.
Abstraction is the process of hiding the implementation details and showing only the functionality to the user. In other words, it shows only essential things to the user and hides the internal details. Abstraction reduces complexity by hiding irrelevant detail.
The benefits of OOP include code reusability through inheritance, flexibility through polymorphism, security through encapsulation, and simplicity through abstraction. However, OOP can also lead to larger and more complex code bases, and it may not be suitable for all types of problems.
Real-world examples of OOP are everywhere. For instance, consider a car. It's a single object, but it contains various parts like the engine, wheels, lights, etc. Each of these parts has its own properties and behaviors, which are defined in their respective classes. The car object bundles these parts together into a cohesive unit, which is exactly how an object-oriented program bundles related variables and functions into objects.