Core Concepts in Object-Oriented Programming

Introduction

• Core Concepts: Encapsulation, Abstraction, Inheritance, Polymorphism
• Historical Context: Procedural programming with functions and variables
• Problems with Procedural Programming:
  • Spaghetti code: Interdependent functions, hard to maintain
  • Copy-pasting code
  • Changes in one function break others

Solution: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

• OOP Basics: Combine related variables and functions into objects
• Terminology:
  • Variables -> Properties
  • Functions -> Methods

Examples of OOP

• Car Object: Properties: make, model, color; Methods: start, stop, move
• LocalStorage Object: Property: length; Methods: setItem, removeItem

Key Concept: Encapsulation

• Definition: Group related variables and methods into objects
• Example: Employee object with properties (salary, overtime, rate) and method (getWage)
• Benefits:
  • Reduces parameters in functions
  • Easier to use and maintain functions

Key Concept: Abstraction

• Definition: Hide complex details inside an object
• Example: DVD player with visible buttons but complex internals
• Benefits:
  • Simplifies interface
  • Reduces impact of changes

Key Concept: Inheritance

• Definition: Mechanism to eliminate redundant code
• Example: HTML elements (textbox, dropdown) inheriting from a generic HTMLElement
• Benefits: Remove redundant property and method definitions

Key Concept: Polymorphism

• Definition: Many forms; allows method specific behavior without complex conditionals
• Example: Different render methods for different HTML elements
• Benefits: Simplifies code by eliminating long if-else or switch-case statements

Conclusion

• Benefits of OOP:
  • Encapsulation: Reduces complexity
  • Abstraction: Hides complexity, minimizes impact of change
  • Inheritance: Eliminates redundancy
  • Polymorphism: Simplifies conditional logic
• Call to Action: Enroll in the "Object-Oriented Programming in JavaScript" course; subscribe for more tutorials