Why Object-Oriented Programming In C++

WHY OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING IN C++

1. History of C++

C, C++, Java, and C# are very similar. C++ evolved from C. Java was modeled after C++. C# is a subset of C++ with some features similar to Java. If you know one of these languages, it is easy to learn the others.

C evolved from the B language and the B language evolved from the BCPL language. BCPL was developed by Martin Richards in the mid-1960s for writing operating systems and compilers.

C++ is an extension of C, developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs during 1983-1985. C++ added a number of features that improved the C language.

2. Why C++?

C++ embodies the dominant computing paradigm, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). Object-oriented programming techniques are more natural than structured programming. You’ll learn both since OOP is built upon structured programming.

Learning C++  also teaches you an enhanced form of C.

Advanced computing topics (operating systems, etc) are typically and more efficiently implemented in C/C++.

Legacy migration of systems from C to C++ (30+ years of C code to migrate to C++ means jobs!).

Contrary to popular belief, it’s fun!

Object orientation

o  Why object-oriented programming?

A natural way of thinking about the world and computer programs Object-oriented design (OOD)

Models real-world objects in software Models communication among objects

Encapsulates attributes and operations (behaviors) Information hiding

Communication through well-defined interfaces Object-oriented language

Programming in object oriented languages is called object-oriented programming (OOP) C++ is an object-oriented language

Programmers can create user-defined types called classes

Contain data members (attributes) and member functions (behaviors) o What are objects?

Reusable software components that model real world items Meaningful software units

o Time objects, paycheck objects, record objects, etc. o Any noun can be represented as an object

Objects have attributes

o Size, shape, color, weight, etc. Exhibit behaviors

o  Babies cry, crawl, sleep, etc.; cars accelerate, brake, turn, etc.

More understandable, better organized and easier to maintain than procedural programming

Libraries of reusable software

o   MFC (Microsoft Foundation Classes)