Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm based on the concept of "objects," which can contain data (attributes or properties) and code (methods or functions). It revolves around the following key concepts:
- Abstraction: Abstraction is the process of hiding complex implementation details and showing only the essential features of an object. It helps in reducing complexity and increasing efficiency.
- Encapsulation: Encapsulation refers to bundling the data (attributes) and methods that operate on the data into a single unit (class). It restricts direct access to some of the object's components, providing a controlled interface to interact with the object.
- Inheritance: Inheritance allows one class (subclass or derived class) to inherit the properties and behaviors of another class (superclass or base class). It promotes code reusability and allows the creation of a hierarchy of classes.
- Polymorphism: Polymorphism means the ability of different objects to respond to the same message or method call in different ways. It allows methods to be defined in multiple forms, enabling objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass.
- Classes and Objects: A class is a blueprint or template for creating objects that defines its properties (attributes) and behaviors (methods). An object is an instance of a class, which represents a real-world entity.
OOP promotes modular design, making it easier to manage and update software systems. It emphasizes concepts like modularity, extensibility, and reusability, leading to more efficient and maintainable code.
4 Pillar of OOPS