Introduction To OOP

Object Oriented Programming (OOP)

💡 Object Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm that structures software design around objects, hence the name 'object oriented'. The term 'programming paradigm' refers to an approach or style used to solve problems and write solutions in code. Other paradigms include imperative, functional, declarative, and logic programming. In OOP, code is written based on objects that respond to messages by performing actions, and these objects have their own state or attributes. This differs from the line-by-line command style of imperative programming. A 'class' in OOP is a blueprint for creating objects. It defines the state and behavior of an object, and the same blueprint can be used to create multiple instances of the object. Objects in OOP can be thought of as Legos that interact with each other to perform complex functionalities, providing a structure for the program. Programming paradigms are not mutually exclusive. It is possible, and often beneficial, to use a combination of paradigms, such as OOP and imperative programming, within the same program.

Advantages of OOP

OOP allows for the creation of 'blueprints' or classes that function as modules, independent from other parts of the program. This isolation enables easy changes to specific code sections without impacting the overall program.

🔄 The reusability of these blueprints or classes across different projects allows for faster and lower cost development, saving resources and time that would otherwise be spent rewriting code.
➕ Extensibility is another advantage of OOP; objects can be extended to include new attributes and behaviors, enabling easy addition of new functionalities.
💼 Modularity in OOP helps in easier maintenance of the code, as changes can be made to specific modules without requiring large-scale alterations.

OOP helps in creating higher quality software as more resources can be allocated for testing. Each class or 'blueprint' has its own components, making it easier to find and fix bugs by adjusting the blueprint itself. Consider the impacts of these advantages (modularity, extensibility, and reusability) on large-scale projects, you can highlight how they result in improved software development productivity.