Object-Oriented Programming Fundamentals

Classes

• A blueprint or template that defines the properties and behavior of an object
• Consists of:
  • Data members (variables, attributes)
  • Member functions (methods, functions)
• Classes are essentially user-defined data types

Objects

• Instances of a class
• Each object has its own set of attributes (data members) and methods (member functions)
• Objects can be manipulated independently of each other
• Objects have their own set of values for their attributes

Inheritance

• Mechanism that allows one class to inherit the properties and behavior of another class
• The derived class inherits all members (data and functions) of the base class
• Types of inheritance:
  • Single inheritance: One derived class inherits from one base class
  • Multiple inheritance: One derived class inherits from multiple base classes
  • Multilevel inheritance: A derived class inherits from a class that is itself derived from another class
  • Hybrid inheritance: Combination of multiple and multilevel inheritance

Polymorphism

• Ability of an object to take on multiple forms
• Types of polymorphism:
  • Compile-time polymorphism (function overloading, operator overloading)
  • Runtime polymorphism (function overriding)
• Achieved through:
  • Function overloading: Multiple functions with the same name but different parameters
  • Function overriding: Derived class provides a specific implementation of a function already defined in the base class
  • Operator overloading: Redefining the behavior of operators for user-defined data types

Encapsulation

• Binding of data and methods that manipulate that data into a single unit (class)
• Data hiding: Data members are hidden from the outside world, and can only be accessed through member functions
• Benefits:
  • Data protection
  • Code organization and structure
  • Improved code reusability

Classes

• Define properties and behavior of an object
• Composed of data members (variables, attributes) and member functions (methods, functions)
• Essentially user-defined data types

Objects

• Instances of a class
• Each object has its own:
  • Set of attributes (data members)
  • Set of methods (member functions)
• Objects can be manipulated independently of each other
• Each object has its own set of values for its attributes

Inheritance

• Mechanism that allows one class to inherit properties and behavior of another class
• The derived class inherits all members (data and functions) of the base class
• Types:
  • Single inheritance: One derived class inherits from one base class
  • Multiple inheritance: One derived class inherits from multiple base classes
  • Multilevel inheritance: A derived class inherits from a class that is itself derived from another class
  • Hybrid inheritance: Combination of multiple and multilevel inheritance

Polymorphism

• Ability of an object to take on multiple forms
• Types:
  • Compile-time polymorphism: Function overloading, operator overloading
  • Runtime polymorphism: Function overriding
• Achieved through:
  • Function overloading: Multiple functions with the same name but different parameters
  • Function overriding: Derived class provides a specific implementation of a function already defined in the base class
  • Operator overloading: Redefining the behavior of operators for user-defined data types

Encapsulation

• Binding of data and methods that manipulate that data into a single unit (class)
• Data hiding: Data members are hidden from the outside world, and can only be accessed through member functions
• Benefits:
  • Data protection
  • Code organization and structure
  • Improved code reusability

Learn about the basics of object-oriented programming, including classes and objects, and how they are used to define and manipulate data. Understand the concepts of inheritance and more.