Object types are elements in a computer program that can be modified. They have a set of attributes that can be changed, and are created by a class. Object-oriented programming relies on object types to create programs with less code. The programmer only needs to decide what kind of object to use and set its attributes. Multiple objects working together make software work.
In computing, an object type is any element in a computer program that can be altered or modified in any way by the computer program. Object types are a subclass of data types. Data types simply refer to the type of information each item represents. An object type often has a specific set of attributes that can be changed to different values. In object-oriented programming, an object type refers to a specific element created by a class, the set of rules that serve as guidelines for creating new objects.
To imagine an object, it is best to imagine building a house. Computer programming languages, such as Java or C++, are the tools used to build the house. A set of rules and guidelines, often known as a class, shows what types of houses a program can build. Object types are like these metaphorical houses.
If a programmer wants to build a house with two doors and two windows, he can enter those values and create an object. This new object follows the rules established by its class, but looks at the computer program specifications for its characteristics such as the number of doors and windows. A second programmer could create an object of the same class but set a different number of doors and windows.
The house metaphor translates into the virtual world of computer programming because an object type must follow certain guidelines to function, just like a house must be assembled according to a blueprint. Object-oriented programming relies heavily on object types to create new programs using the least amount of code required. This reduces the possibility of errors in the code and speeds up the process of creating a program from scratch.
The use of objects in object-oriented programming has a distinct advantage over other types of programming. The guidelines for each object are already determined. All the programmer has to do is decide what kind of object he wants to use and then set any special attributes he wants that kind of object to have.
Object types are the key to running any computer program. Each one serves a specific function, like fetching data from a server or reacting to user typed input, and creating multiple objects that work together is what makes a piece of software work. The computer programmer must understand how the object works and what variables to assign to it. So the program code can run behind the scenes while the user can use an easy to understand interface to interact with the program.
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