Class Diagrams in Object-Oriented Programming

Study Notes

A visual representation of classes and their relationships in an object-oriented program
Consists of:
- Classes ( rectangles )
- Attributes (data members, listed inside the class rectangle)
- Methods (functions, listed inside the class rectangle)
- Relationships between classes (lines connecting the classes)
Types of relationships:
- Inheritance (arrow pointing to the parent class)
- Composition (filled diamond shape at the aggregate end)
- Association (simple line)

The ability of an object to take on multiple forms
Achieved through:
- Method Overloading (multiple methods with the same name but different parameters)
- Method Overriding (a subclass provides a different implementation of a method already defined in its superclass)
- Operator Overloading (defining custom behavior for operators such as +, -, *, /)
Benefits:
- Increased flexibility and reusability of code
- Allows for more accurate modeling of real-world objects and behaviors

The idea of bundling data and methods that operate on that data within a single unit (a class)
Benefits:
- Data Hiding (protecting data from external interference and misuse)
- Abstraction (focusing on essential features and hiding irrelevant details)
- Code Organization (grouping related data and methods together)

A mechanism for creating a new class (the subclass or derived class) based on an existing class (the superclass or base class)
The subclass inherits all the attributes and methods of the superclass and can also add new attributes and methods or override the ones inherited from the superclass
Types of inheritance:
- Single Inheritance (a subclass inherits from a single superclass)
- Multiple Inheritance (a subclass inherits from multiple superclasses)
- Multilevel Inheritance (a subclass inherits from a superclass that itself inherits from another superclass)
Benefits:
- Code Reusability (reusing code from the superclass)
- Hierarchical relationships between classes

Visual representation of classes and their relationships in an object-oriented program
Composed of classes, attributes, methods, and relationships between classes
Classes are represented by rectangles
Attributes are data members listed inside the class rectangle
Methods are functions listed inside the class rectangle
Relationships between classes are represented by lines connecting the classes
Three types of relationships: inheritance, composition, and association
Inheritance is represented by an arrow pointing to the parent class
Composition is represented by a filled diamond shape at the aggregate end
Association is represented by a simple line

Ability of an object to take on multiple forms
Achieved through method overloading, method overriding, and operator overloading
Method overloading involves multiple methods with the same name but different parameters
Method overriding involves a subclass providing a different implementation of a method already defined in its superclass
Operator overloading involves defining custom behavior for operators such as +, -, *, /
Benefits of polymorphism include increased flexibility and reusability of code, and more accurate modeling of real-world objects and behaviors

Idea of bundling data and methods that operate on that data within a single unit (a class)
Benefits of encapsulation include data hiding, abstraction, and code organization
Data hiding protects data from external interference and misuse
Abstraction focuses on essential features and hides irrelevant details
Code organization involves grouping related data and methods together

Mechanism for creating a new class (the subclass or derived class) based on an existing class (the superclass or base class)
Subclass inherits all the attributes and methods of the superclass
Subclass can also add new attributes and methods or override the ones inherited from the superclass
Three types of inheritance: single inheritance, multiple inheritance, and multilevel inheritance
Single inheritance involves a subclass inheriting from a single superclass
Multiple inheritance involves a subclass inheriting from multiple superclasses
Multilevel inheritance involves a subclass inheriting from a superclass that itself inherits from another superclass
Benefits of inheritance include code reusability and hierarchical relationships between classes