Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Python¶

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is one of the most important programming paradigms in Python.
It helps developers organize code in a way that closely models how we think about real-world systems — using objects and classes.
By structuring code around objects, OOP simplifies complex software design and encourages code reusability, scalability, and maintainability.
Instead of writing large blocks of procedural code, OOP allows you to build modular programs that are easier to understand and extend.

What is Object-Oriented Programming?¶

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm centered around objects — self-contained entities that combine data (attributes) and behavior (methods).
This mirrors how we perceive the real world. For example, consider a Car — it has data (like color, model, speed) and behaviors (like start, accelerate, brake). OOP allows us to model such entities in code naturally and intuitively.
Python, as an object-oriented language, supports OOP principles that allow you to build robust, modular applications by defining and manipulating classes and objects.

Concept	Description
Class	A blueprint or template for creating objects. It defines what attributes (data) and methods (behaviors) an object will have.
Object	An instance of a class. Each object has its own unique data but shares the structure and behavior defined by the class.
Attribute	A variable that stores data or state associated with a class or object.
Method	A function defined inside a class that describes the behavior or action an object can perform.

Think of a class named Car as a blueprint for manufacturing cars.
This blueprint defines what every car should have and what it can do — for example:
- Attributes(Properties): color, model, and speed
- Methods (Actions): accelerate, brake, display details
When you create actual cars like car1, car2, and car3 from this blueprint, each one will have its own unique set of attributes but share the same overall structure and behavior.

Feature	Procedural Programming	Object-Oriented Programming
Focus	Logic and functions	Objects and data
Design	Top-down	Bottom-up
Code Reuse	Limited	High (through inheritance)
Data Access	Global data access is common	Controlled via access specifiers
Data Hiding	Not enforced	Achieved using encapsulation
Overloading	Not supported	Supports function/operator overloading
Example Languages	C, Fortran, Pascal	Python, Java, C++
Abstraction Level	Procedural abstraction	Class/object abstraction

Principle	Description	Example
Encapsulation	Restricting access to data and methods to prevent accidental modification.	Private variables in a class
Inheritance	Derive new classes from existing ones	A `Dog` class inheriting from `Animal`
Abstraction	hiding unnecessary details and showing only the essential features of an object.	Car interface without engine details
Polymorphism	allows the same method name to perform different behaviors based on the object calling it.	Method overriding or overloading

Term	Definition
Class	A blueprint to create objects.
Object	An instance of a class with its own attributes.
Method	A function defined inside a class.
Instance Variable	Attribute unique to each object.
Class Variable	Shared attribute across all instances.
Encapsulation	Bundling data with methods to protect it.
Inheritance	Mechanism to create new classes from existing ones.
Abstraction	Hiding complexity and showing only essential parts.
Polymorphism	Single interface, multiple implementations.
Instantiation	Creating an object from a class.
Overloading	Defining multiple behaviors for the same method/operator.