1 - Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming

Abstract

The theory of object-oriented programming (OOP) is complex; however, the complexity has meant that most OOP languages have developed frameworks which, when applied to practical problems, result in easier, more bug-free programming. This chapter discusses the leap in programming progress and the principles of OOP. The terminology of OOP is different from that of the other programming systems. This arose initially from the fact that the original designers wanted to make the connection between the programming techniques and the outside world. Thus, the procedures within an object are usually referred to as methods. To confuse matters further, they are also known as member junctions when programming in C++. The distinction between procedure and function is very blurred in many languages. Theoretically, a procedure is called in a standalone statement and may have arguments passed to it, then carries out some task. A junction usually forms part of a statement, may have arguments passed to it, and returns a value that replaces it in the statement.