OOPS in C++

Written by

Vaaruni Agarwal

The main advantage of C++ programming language over C is that it supports Object Oriented Programming. It includes classes and objects.

A class is used to specify the form of an object, whereas an object is a real-world entity.

For Example:
If we take Dog as a class, then a Dog has some properties, like it has 4 legs and a tail, so these are actually the data members of the Dog class.
On the other hand, a dog performs some functions like it barks, so these are member functions of dog class.
Now, suppose a dog is named Joe, then it will have all the features of the dog class and perform the function of barking, thus here Joe is an object i.e. a real-world entity that has an existence while the class Dog has no real world existence.

C++ fully supports object-oriented programming, including the four pillars of object-oriented development −

1. Data Encapsulation – It is a OOPs concept that helps the user views only that data which is relevant for them. For Example: A capsule medicine.

2. Data Hiding – Data Hiding ensures the protection of sensitive data from unauthorized user access.

3. Inheritance – One of the most important concepts in object-oriented programming is that of inheritance. Inheritance allows us to define a class in terms of another class, which makes it easier to create and maintain an application.

The idea of inheritance implements the IS A relationship. For example, mammal IS-A animal, dog IS-A mammal hence dog IS-A animal as well.

4. Polymorphism – The word Polymorphism is made up of two words: Poly means many, and Morph means forms, it occurs when hierarchies of classes are related by inheritance.

We will read about all these concepts of OOPs in detail later on.

OOPS in C++