Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Object-oriented refers to a programming paradigm that organizes code into objects, which are instances of classes. It emphasizes concepts such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
Encapsulation is the idea of bundling data (variables) and methods (functions) together within an object so that they can only be accessed through that object's interface.
Inheritance allows new classes to be created based on existing classes. The new class inherits properties and methods from the parent class while adding its own unique features.
Polymorphism means that objects of different types can be treated as objects of the same type, allowing for more flexibility in designing software systems.