Object-Oriented Programming with Java

Unit 1 • Chapter 2

Key Concepts: Objects, Classes, and Encapsulation

Summary

Object-oriented programming (OOP) revolves around the concept of objects, which represent real-world entities or data of interest within a software application. Abstraction is a key OOP principle, simplifying reality by focusing only on relevant data and tasks for each object. Objects are created using classes, which act as templates defining their attributes (properties) and operations. Attributes describe the object, storing data about it. OOP also includes encapsulation, which hides internal implementation details of an object from the outside world, promoting modularity and code maintainability. Inheritance allows creating new classes that inherit properties and operations from existing ones, fostering code reusability. Polymorphism enables objects to behave differently depending on their type, enhancing flexibility and adaptability.

Concept Check

What is the primary purpose of abstraction in object-oriented programming?

What is the relationship between a class and an object?

What are attributes, also known as fields or properties, in the context of classes?

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental concept of object-oriented programming?

What does the term 'entity' refer to in object-oriented programming?