What is Object-Oriented Programming and Why is it Useful?

The software development world is constantly changing, which is why programmers are rapidly upgrading their programming skills to be relevant in the industry. Object-oriented programming (OOP) plays a crucial role if you want to remain updated in this field. According to a Zippia report, OOP programmers in the U.S. earn an average salary of around $89,147 annually. So, if you are looking to make a career in coding, you need to learn OOP languages, such as JavaScript, C++, Java, and Python, to enhance your expertise.

Read this article to learn more about what is object-oriented programming, its principles, features, and ways to structure OOP programs.

What is Object-Oriented Programming?

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a paradigm that is widely used in software development. Moreover, it uses objects that can represent abstract concepts or real-world objects to represent and manipulate data, including the actions that can be performed. In OOP, a program is made up of a collection of objects that communicate with each other by sending messages.

The following applications get structured around objects using OOP systems. 

Client-Server Systems

IT infrastructure is made up of object-oriented client-server systems, which are used to make Object-Oriented Client-Server Internet (OCSI) applications.

Object-Oriented Database

The object-oriented database stores objects, such as integers and real numbers, instead of storing data. It is also called the Object Database Management System (ODBMS). 

Features of Object-Oriented Programming

You can gain a better understanding of object-oriented programming by understanding its four fundamental features.

Easily Upgradable

Programmers can use object-oriented programming software independently and can also easily upgrade OOP packages in the existing software. So, OOP can make software development more modular, reusable, and maintainable, which can make it easier to upgrade and update the system. 

Flexible

OOP software is flexible to use for programmers. hence, they can pass different objects through the same interface using polymorphism, which implies the ability of a single function or method to operate on multiple data types. 

Smooth Interface

The user interface of OOP software is smooth and easy to handle. It can provide a consistent interface for users by encapsulating the implementation details and exposing an efficient set of methods and properties.

Modularity

The encapsulation method in OOP software helps objects to be self-contained. Also, it facilitates troubleshooting while developing a program. Moreover, the software enables modularity by allowing developers to break down a complex problem into self-contained units to make specific designs. 

ALSO READ: What is Coding?

Advantages of Object-Oriented Programming

Developers utilize object-oriented programming to build software based on data. Here is a breakdown of its benefits.

1. Enables Code Reusability

It is no longer necessary for programmers to manually develop the same code multiple times because they can reuse code through OOP inheritance.

2. Increases Productivity in Software Development

The OOP framework allows programmers to construct programs taking help from existing packages, such as Python, which can save time and boost productivity

3. Reinforces Security

Programmers filter out limited data using OOP mechanisms, such as data hiding and abstraction, to keep the application secure. This ensures that only important data can be seen by the users.

4. Simplifies Code Maintenance

The code in object-oriented software is easy to use and maintain. The software simplifies the code maintenance process by promoting modular and reusable designs. 

What are the Basics of Object-Oriented Programming?

Constructor

This is a special kind of subroutine that is executed when an object is created. Essentially, it prepares the newly created item for usage and accepts arguments from the object to configure the appropriate member variables.

Composition

In OOP, the composition of child objects and parent objects refers to the relationship between objects of different classes in a hierarchy. A parent object defines a set of properties and behaviors that can be inherited by one or more of the child objects. The latter can further add new ones as well. Since child objects do not have a lifecycle, they vanish with the parent objects and vice versa. That is why both compositions remain dependent on each other. 

Coupling

The term “coupling” is used to refer to the level to which one software component is related to another component of that software. Classes, packages, components, subsystems, and even entire systems can be considered software elements. It denotes the level of familiarity one object or class has with another.

Principles of Object-Oriented Programming

The four main principles that define the object-oriented programming language are inheritance, polymorphism, data abstraction, and encapsulation. These are also known as the four pillars of software programming. 

1. Inheritance

Child classes inherit data and behaviors from the parent class. They can be created, which will extend the functionality of the parent class and add additional attributes and behaviors to it.

Basic attributes and behaviors can be defined in a parent class, which allows the creation of child classes.

2. Abstraction

Abstraction is an extension of encapsulation. Also, it hides the internal information of a program from its users by using classes and objects, which hold data and code. In addition, it helps protect sensitive information that is stored in the source code.

3. Encapsulation

Encapsulation refers to keeping all relevant information inside an object and letting only a small portion remain visible to the outside environment. The code inside the class template defines the attributes and behaviors. Encapsulation conceals the internal data of objects, as well as the internal software code implementation within a class.

4. Polymorphism

Polymorphism is of two types—static and dynamic. Static polymorphism is accomplished by utilizing method overloading, and dynamic polymorphism is accomplished by utilizing method overriding. In the first case, a child class can have a different implementation than its parent class. In the second case, two different methods can have the same name but the number of parameters that are passed into the method call may differ.

Building Blocks of Object-Oriented Programming

Methods

The behaviors are represented by methods called actions that can either return information about an object or edit the data associated with it.

Also, the code for the method is included in the definition of the class.

Classes

Classes represent user-defined data types obtained from the existing data type. The blueprint for the structure of methods and attributes is created in classes and made into individual objects. 

Classes provide methods for behavior and fields for attributes.

Attribute

When objects are created, the data for each object is stored in the attributes field. In other words, the stored information is called an attribute.

Objects

An object is a discrete entity that represents an abstraction with an instance of a class. It maintains its information in attributes and uses methods to hide its activities.

How to Structure Object-Oriented Programmes

Let us start with a problem that exists in the real world and create an OOP software program conceptually. Here is an example of how a programmer may organize an OOP using the dog-sitting scenario.

Step 1: Create a Class

Programmers should develop a class for all canines, which will serve as a template for the information and behaviors (methods) that all dogs, regardless of breed, will exhibit. 

This particular class is also referred to as the parent class.

Step 2: Create Subclasses

Programmers in this field must develop subclasses to stand for the various subtypes of dogs that fall under the umbrella of the primary blueprint. 

Child classes are another name for these types of classes.

Step 3: Add Unique Attributes and Behaviors

Programmers add a set of attributes and behaviors to each child class to illustrate the various distinctions between the classes efficiently.

Step 4: Create Objects

They produce objects from the child class that will serve as representatives of dogs for that subgroup.

Start Coding with Emeritus

Several high-level programming languages, such as JavaScript and Python, are based on the OOP paradigm, making it a crucial subject for developers to comprehend. In fact, learning OOP before diving into a new language will help you improve your programming skills, such as database and cloud computing. You can improve your OOP skills and advance your career forward by enrolling in Emeritus online coding courses. It will enable you to develop a higher level of coding proficiency regardless of your role, expertise, or industry. 

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