What describes object-oriented programming?

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is fundamentally characterized by its focus on objects that contain both data (attributes) and behaviors (methods). In OOP, the core concept revolves around the idea that real-world entities can be represented as objects within a program, allowing for a design that is modular and easier to manage.

This approach emphasizes the importance of encapsulation, where an object's internal state can only be changed through its methods. This encapsulation promotes data hiding and abstraction, key principles that help in managing complexity in larger systems. Additionally, OOP supports inheritance and polymorphism, which facilitate code reuse and flexibility, allowing for the creation of a hierarchy of classes that can share properties and behaviors.

By representing data and behaviors together, OOP also encourages a more intuitive way of structuring programs, making it easier to model systems based on how they operate in reality. Overall, the focus on objects and their interactions forms the foundation of OOP, making it distinct from other programming paradigms that may prioritize functions or procedures.