๐ Topic Summary
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm based on the concept of "objects", which contain data, in the form of fields (often known as attributes or properties), and code, in the form of procedures (often known as methods). OOP allows for code reusability, modularity, and easier debugging. The four main principles of OOP are encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction. These principles enable developers to create complex and maintainable software systems.
This worksheet will help you understand and apply these core OOP concepts. Let's get started!
๐ง Part A: Vocabulary
Match the following terms with their definitions:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Class |
A. A blueprint for creating objects |
| 2. Object |
B. The process of hiding internal details and showing only necessary information |
| 3. Inheritance |
C. An instance of a class |
| 4. Encapsulation |
D. The ability of an object to take on many forms |
| 5. Polymorphism |
E. A mechanism where a new class inherits properties and behaviors from an existing class |
Answers: 1-A, 2-C, 3-E, 4-B, 5-D
โ๏ธ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph with the correct terms:
In OOP, a ______ is a template for creating objects. Each ______ is an instance of a class. ______ allows a class to inherit properties from another class. ______ is the concept of bundling data and methods that operate on that data within a class, protecting it from outside access. ______ is the ability of an object to exhibit different behaviors based on the context.
Answers: Class, Object, Inheritance, Encapsulation, Polymorphism
๐ค Part C: Critical Thinking
Explain how encapsulation can improve the security and maintainability of a software system. Provide a real-world example.
Answer: Encapsulation improves security by hiding the internal state of an object from the outside world, preventing direct access and modification of its data. This protects the data from accidental corruption or malicious attacks. It improves maintainability by allowing the internal implementation of a class to be changed without affecting the code that uses the class, as long as the public interface remains the same.
For example, consider a bank account class. The balance is a sensitive piece of data that should not be directly accessible from outside the class. Encapsulation can ensure that the balance can only be accessed and modified through methods like `deposit()` and `withdraw()`, which can enforce rules like preventing overdrafts or logging transactions. This protects the integrity of the account and makes it easier to maintain the system over time.