Object-Oriented Systems Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards defining core terms, concepts, mechanisms, and structural diagrams from object-oriented systems.

Class

A template used to define specific instances or objects.

Object

An instantiation of a class that combines data and behavior.

Attributes

Properties that describe an object.

Behaviors

Specifications of what an object can do, implemented through methods.

Methods

Components that implement an object's behavior, acting like a function or procedure.

Messages

Procedure calls sent from one object to another to trigger methods.

Encapsulation

The combination or bundling of data and process into a single entity.

Information Hiding

A principle where only necessary information required to use a software module is published, keeping internal workings hidden.

Superclasses

General classes positioned at the top of a class hierarchy.

Subclasses

Specific classes positioned at the bottom of a hierarchy that inherit attributes and methods from classes higher in the hierarchy.

Abstract Class

A class within a hierarchy that cannot be instantiated directly.

Concrete Class

A class within a hierarchy that can be instantiated directly.

Polymorphism

The ability of a message to be interpreted differently by different classes of objects through method overriding.

Static Binding

Also known as early binding or compile-time binding; a process where the type of object is determined at compile time and used to resolve overloaded methods.

Dynamic Binding

Also known as late binding or run-time binding; a process where the method to be called is selected by the system while running, enabling polymorphism.

Use-case Driven

A methodology that allows developers and analysts to focus on how users interact with the system to perform a single activity.

Single Inheritance

A condition where a subclass inherits properties and behaviors from a single parent class.

Multiple Inheritance

A condition where a subclass inherits properties and behaviors from multiple parent classes.

Class Instantiation Diagram

Diagram illustrating how class templates define attributes and methods to instantiate specific object instances.

Class Hierarchy Diagram

Diagram showing the structural relationship between abstract classes at upper levels and concrete classes at lower levels.

Benefits of the Object Approach Table

A summary table outlining OO concepts, supported design qualities like cohesion and coupling, and system development benefits.