KarChunTConcepts of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Understand the concepts of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP).
Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)?
Important
This section will include all the topics related to Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Python. I will cover the following topics in each section.
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm that uses "objects" to design software. An object will contain attributes (data, properties, variables) and behaviors (methods, functions). You will start by defining classes which will act as blueprints for creating objects.
- Attributes: Variables associated with the object that hold data. For example, a
Carobject might have attributes likecolor,model, andyear. - Methods: Functions associated with the object that define its behavior/action. For example, a
Carobject might have methods likestart(),stop(), andaccelerate().
Classes and Objects
| Type | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Class | A blueprint for creating objects. It defines the attributes and behaviours that the created objects will have. |
| Object | An instance of a class. It contains data and methods defined by the class. |
Four Pillars of OOP
| Pillar | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Encapsulation | Bundle data (attributes) and methods (behaviours) into a single unit (class). It restricts direct access to some of the object's components, which can prevent the accidental modification of data. Mainly hiding internal state and implementation details. |
| Inheritance | A mechanism to create a new class (subclasses) that inherits attributes and methods from an existing class (parent classes). It allows for code reuse and establishes a relationship between classes. |
| Polymorphism | The ability to use a single interface to represent different underlying data types. It allows methods to do different things based on the object it is acting upon. Also, it allows methods to have the same name but behave differently based on the object type by using method overriding or method overloading. |
| Abstraction | Hiding complex internal implementation details and showing only the essential features of the object. It allows the developer to focus on "what to do" (focus on what an object does) rather than "how to do it" (how it achieves its functionality). |
Benefits of OOP
I just highlight some of the key benefits of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) below. There are many more benefits, but these are the most important ones that you should know.
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Code Reusability | OOP allows for reusing existing code through inheritance, which reduces redundancy and improves maintainability. |
| Modularity | Breaks down complex systems into smaller manageable pieces (classes and objects), making it easier to understand, develop, modify, maintain, and debug code. |
| Flexibility and Scalability | OOP allows for easier modifications and extensions to existing code. New features can be added with minimal changes to existing code, making it easier to scale applications. |
| Clear structure and enhanced collaboration | OOP promotes a clear structure for organizing xode, which makes it easier for teams to work together. |