Object Oriented Techniques (OCR A-Level Computer Science): Flashcards

OOP definition

Programming paradigm organizing software around objects

Class definition

Blueprint for creating objects

Object definition

Instance of a class

Attributes definition

Store data or state of an object

Private attributes in Python

Prefixed with _ or __

Methods definition

Functions within a class describing object behaviours

Encapsulation definition

Restricting access to object's data to protect integrity

Getters purpose

Access private attributes

Setters purpose

Modify private attributes

Inheritance definition

Subclass inherits attributes/methods from superclass

super() function purpose

Access superclass methods and attributes

Polymorphism definition

Objects of different classes treated as common superclass

Class diagram: + and - symbols

• is public, - is private

Superclass definition

Class from which other classes inherit

OOP benefit: modularity

Programs divided into self-contained objects