Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm based on the concept of objects, which can contain data and code. Objects are designed to represent real-world entities like inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation. OOP aims to organize software design around data, or objects, rather than functions and logic.
Here are some key features of OOP:
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Classes: A class is a blueprint for creating objects. It defines a set of attributes and methods that will be common to all objects of that class.
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Objects: An object is an instance of a class. It has its own state and behavior, and can interact with other objects.
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Inheritance: Inheritance is a mechanism that allows a new class to be based on an existing class. The new class inherits the attributes and methods of the existing class, and can add its own attributes and methods.
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Polymorphism: Polymorphism allows different types of objects to pass through the same interface. It reduces the need to duplicate code and allows objects to take on more than one form.
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Encapsulation: Encapsulation is the practice of hiding the internal workings of an object from the outside world. It helps to prevent unintended interference with an objects state.
Examples of object-oriented programming languages include Java, Python, C++, Ruby, and JavaScript. OOP is a fundamental programming paradigm used by nearly every developer at some point in their career.