C++ What is OOP?
OOP stands for Object-Oriented Programming.
Object-oriented programming is about creating "objects", which can hold data and functions that work on that data.
Advantages of OOP
- OOP provides a clear structure to programs
- Makes code easier to maintain, reuse, and debug
- Helps keep your code DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself)
- Makes it possible to create full reusable applications with less code and shorter development time
Tip: The DRY principle means you should avoid writing the same code more than once. Move repeated code into functions or classes and reuse it.
What are Classes and Objects?
Classes and objects are the two main aspects of object-oriented programming.
A class defines what an object should look like, and an object is created based on that class. For example:
| Class | Objects |
|---|---|
| Fruit | Apple, Banana, Mango |
| Car | Volvo, Audi, Toyota |
When you create an object from a class, it inherits all the variables and functions defined inside that class.
In the next chapters, you will learn how to:
- Define a class
- Create objects
- Access class members
- And much more
Procedural vs Object-Oriented Programming
Procedural programming is about writing functions that operate on data.
Object-oriented programming (OOP) is about creating objects that contain both the data and the functions.
In procedural programming, the code is organized around functions. In object-oriented programming, the code is organized around objects.