Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Computer Science) A programming paradigm and language type: An "object-oriented programming language" is a type of programming language that structures software design around data, or "objects," rather than functions and logic. It enables the programmer to associate a set of procedures (called methods) with each type of data structure (called a class).

Usage

• This term is used as a compound noun to classify a category of programming languages.
• It is often abbreviated as OOP language.
• Example:

Examples

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The concept can be used adjectivally to describe related concepts.
  • object-oriented design, object-oriented analysis, object-oriented principles.

Variants and Related Words

• OOP (Object-Oriented Programming): The paradigm itself.
  • He specializes in OOP.
• Object-oriented language: A common, shortened form.
  • C# is a modern object-oriented language.
• Class-based language: A closely related term emphasizing the central role of classes.

Synonyms

• Class-based programming language (near synonym, though some distinctions exist in computer science theory).

Key Concepts (Related Terminology)

• Class: A blueprint for creating objects.
• Object: An instance of a class, containing data and methods.
• Inheritance: A mechanism where one class acquires the properties of another.
• Encapsulation: The bundling of data with the methods that operate on that data.
• Polymorphism: The ability to present the same interface for different underlying forms (data types).

Noun

1. (computer science) a programming language that enables the programmer to associate a set of procedures with each type of data structure
   • C++ is an object-oriented programming language that is an extension of C