What is object-oriented programming (OOP)?

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm that utilizes "objects" as the fundamental building blocks for creating software applications. In OOP, an object is a self-contained unit that consists of both data, which is often referred to as attributes or properties, and methods, which are functions or procedures that operate on that data.

This duality allows objects to model real-world entities and their interactions more naturally, making it easier to design complex systems. For example, an object representing a car would have attributes such as color, model, and speed, alongside methods that define actions like starting the engine or applying brakes.

OOP promotes principles such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, which enhance code reusability, maintainability, and scalability. By grouping data and functions together, OOP enables programmers to create code that is organized and easier to understand.

In contrast to OOP, other mentioned approaches focus on different paradigms; linear processing of instructions lacks the organization that objects provide, and writing assembly language or focusing solely on procedure calls does not encapsulate the broader principles of object-oriented design.