Objects and Class in Programming

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to objects and classes in programming.

Object

An instance of a class that represents a real-world entity.

Class

A blueprint for creating objects, defining their properties and behaviors.

Properties

Attributes that hold data specific to an object in a class.

Methods

Functions defined in a class that describe the behaviors of an object.

Instantiation

The process of creating an object from a class.

Constructor

A special method used to initialize an object's attributes when it is created.

Self

A reference to the current instance of a class, used to access its attributes and methods.

Attributes

Characteristics of an object, sometimes referred to as properties.

Encapsulation

The bundling of data and methods that operate on that data within one unit (class).

Inheritance

A mechanism where a new class can inherit attributes and methods from an existing class.

Polymorphism

The ability for different classes to be treated as instances of the same class through a common interface.

Data Abstraction

Process of hiding the complex reality while exposing only the necessary parts of an object.

Instance Attribute

An attribute that is specific to a particular object of a class.

Class Attribute

A property shared among all instances of a class.

Accessor methods

Methods used to retrieve the value of an object's attributes.

Mutator methods

Methods used to change the value of an object's attributes.