object-oriented programming

The programming challenge was seen as how to write the logic, not how to define the data. Object-oriented programming takes the view that what we really care about are the objects we want to manipulate rather than the logic required to manipulate them. Examples of objects range from human beings (described by name, address, and so forth) to buildings and floors (whose properties can be described and managed) down to the little widgets on your computer desktop (such as buttons and scroll bars).

The first step in OOP is to identify all the objects you want to manipulate and how they relate to each other, an exercise often known as data modeling. Once you've identified an object, you generalize it as a class of objects (think of Plato's concept of the "ideal" chair that stands for all chairs) and define the kind of data it contains and any logic sequences that can manipulate it. Each distinct logic sequence is known as a method. A real instance of a class is called (no surprise here) an "object" or, in some environments, an "instance of a class." The object or class instance is what you run in the computer. Its methods provide computer instructions and the class object characteristics provide relevant data. You communicate with objects - and they communicate with each other - with well-defined interfaces called messages.

The concepts and rules used in object-oriented programming provide these important benefits:

• The concept of a data class makes it possible to define subclasses of data objects that share some or all of the main class characteristics. Called inheritance, this property of OOP forces a more thorough data analysis, reduces development time, and ensures more accurate coding.
• Since a class defines only the data it needs to be concerned with, when an instance of that class (an object) is run, the code will not be able to accidentally access other program data. This characteristic of data hiding provides greater system security and avoids unintended data corruption.
• The definition of a class is reuseable not only by the program for which it is initially created but also by other object-oriented programs (and, for this reason, can be more easily distributed for use in networks).
• The concept of data classes allows a programmer to create any new data type that is not already defined in the language itself.

OOPSLA is the annual conference for Object-Oriented Programming Systems, Languages and Applications.

Getting started with object-oriented programming

To explore how object oriented programming is used in the enterprise, here are some additional resources for learning about major OOP languages and concepts:

J2EE Learning Guide. This guide will take you through the basics of how Java is applied to typical corporate server-side development.

Cheat Sheets Sometimes you just need a handy look-up chart for languages, whether it's Java, Javascript, C++, Erlang or your favorite IDE, like Eclipse.

Object-Oriented Programming in VB .NET: Learning Guide. .NET is Microsoft's official offering for application development in the Windows environment.

LAST UPDATED:

19 Aug 2008

Read more about object-oriented programming: - Terry Montlick's Black Box metaphor and canine analogy may be helpful in understanding OOP.

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