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11.1: Object-Oriented Programming Basics

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    Learning Objectives

    By the end of this section you should be able to

    • Describe the paradigm of object-oriented programming (OOP).
    • Describe the concepts of encapsulation and abstraction as they relate to OOP, and identify the value of each concept.

    Grouping into objects

    Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a style of programming that groups related fields, or data members, and procedures into objects. Real-world entities are modeled as individual objects that interact with each other. Ex: A social media account can follow other accounts, and accounts can send messages to each other. An account can be modeled as an object in a program.

    Checkpoint: Using objects to model social media
    Concepts in Practice: OOP

    1.

    Consider the example above. Which is a field in Ellis's 12/18/23 post?
    1. Ellis's followers list
  • Ellis's username

    • 2.

    What does an object typically model in object-oriented programming?
    1. program code
    2. real-world entity

    Encapsulation

    Encapsulation is a key concept in OOP that involves wrapping data and procedures that operate on that data into a single unit. Access to the unit's data is restricted to prevent other units from directly modifying the data. Ex: A ticket website manages all transactions for a concert, keeping track of tickets sold and tickets still available to avoid accidental overbooking.

    Checkpoint: Encapsulating concert ticket information
    Concepts in Practice: Encapsulation

    3.

    Consider the example above. Suppose the venue has to be changed due to inclement weather. How should a programmer change the website object to allow changes to the Venue field?
    1. Add a procedure to change the field.
  • Allow users direct access to the field.
  • No valid way to allow changes to the field.

    • 4.

    Which is a benefit of encapsulation when developing complex programs?
    1. All objects can easily access and modify each other's data.
    2. Each object's data is restricted for intentional access.

    Abstraction

    Abstraction is a key concept in OOP in which a unit's inner workings are hidden from users and other units that don't need to know the inner workings. Ex: A driver doesn't usually need to know their car engine's exact, numerical temperature. So the car has a gauge to display whether the engine temperature is within an appropriate range.

    Checkpoint: Abstracting data in a countdown calculator
    Concepts in Practice: Abstraction

    5.

    Consider the car example in the paragraph above. Suppose the designer decided to remove the engine temperature indicator. Would this be a good use of abstraction?
    1. yes
  • no

    • 6.

    Which is a benefit of abstraction?
    1. improved view of information
    2. high visibility of information

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