OOP

OOP

1. Objects

   • Fields
     • These are the characteristics of the object, either primitive variables (int, bools, etc) or even other objects
   • Methods
     • main
       • Special method - syntax: public static void main(String[] arguments)
     • Declaration
       • Return Value
         • Specifies what 'type' of return should be expected. Can be a primitive an object or void.Perhaps designed to eliminate previous issues with memory caused by values passed that where too large for the anticipated storage site?
       • Method Name
       • Arguments
         • When a method takes in arguments, we are passing values into the method. These values are often from other variables in the program
     • Body
       • This is where the code that does the action is placed
   • Instantiation
   • Like in real life, OOP objects have characteristics which we call fields and can do things which we call methods

2. Classes

   • Constructor
     • Instantiation
       • Creating an 'instance' or copy of the blueprint class
     • Creates objects from class and can be used to initialize fields with data
   • Blueprints for building objects that also contain fields and methods - but no data

3. UML Class Diagrams

   • General purpose modeling language used to visual and model classes. It can be used as a replacement for flowcharts as well as software documentation

4. Paradigm defined by reusable code known as objects ushering in modularity, data hiding, code reuse and easier debugging