OOPROG:
Object-Oriented
Programming
1 CLASSES AND OBJECT
In Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), classes and objects are the fundamental building blocks used to create software
applications. Understanding these concepts is crucial for working effectively with OOP languages like C#.
Classes
➢ A class is a blueprint or template that defines the structure and behavior of objects. It encapsulates data
(attributes or properties) and methods (functions or behaviors) that operate on the data.
Attributes (Fields/Properties): These are variables that hold data specific to the object. For example, in a Car class,
attributes might include Make, Model, and Year.
Methods: These are functions defined within a class that describe the behaviors of the objects. For instance, a Car class
might have methods like StartEngine() or Accelerate().
Objects
➢ An object is an instance of a class. It is a specific, concrete entity that is created using the class as a template.
Each object has its own set of attribute values and can use the methods defined in the class.
Instance: When you create an object from a class, you are creating an instance of that class.
State: The attributes (fields) of an object define its state. For example, if you create a Car object with Make = "Toyota",
Model = "Corolla", and Year = 2021, these values define the state of that particular object.
Behavior: The methods define what the object can do. For example, calling StartEngine() on a Car object will simulate
starting the car's engine.
Example: Car Class
Here’s a simple Car class with public fields and methods:
Step 1: Create the Class
//Creating a class First, you define the class that you want to use. In this
public class Car case, we are creating a Car class with some basic fields
{ and methods.
// Public Fields
public string make; 1.1. Define the Car Class
public string model; Location: Typically, you would define the class in a
public int year; separate file, but for simplicity, you can define it within
the same file as your form.
// Public Methods
public void StartEngine()
{ Explanation:
MessageBox.Show("Engine started."); Fields: make, model, and year are public fields that store
} the data related to the car.
public void StopEngine()
{ Methods: StartEngine() and StopEngine() are methods
MessageBox.Show("Engine stopped."); that display messages indicating whether the car's engine
} is started or stopped.
}
Now, you will use the Car class inside the WinForms form. Step 2: Create a WinForms Application
Now, create a WinForms application where you will use
public partial class Form1 : Form the Car class.
{
public Form1() 2.1. Create a New WinForms Project
{ Open Visual Studio.
InitializeComponent(); Create a New Project:
} Go to File > New > Project....
Select Windows Forms App (.NET Framework) and click
private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) Next.
{ Name your project (e.g., CarWinFormsApp) and click
// Create a new Car object Create.
Car myCar = new Car();
Step 3: Use the Class in the Form
// Set the fields directly 3.1. Implement the button1_Click Event Handle
myCar.make = "Toyota";
myCar.model = "Corolla";
myCar.year = 2021; Explanation:
Step 1: Create an instance of the Car class using Car
// Display car details in the TextBox using myCar = new Car();.
concatenation Step 2: Directly set the values of the fields (make, model,
textBox1.Text = "Make: " + myCar.make + ", Model: " year).
+ myCar.model + ", Year: " + myCar.year; Step 3: Use string concatenation to display the car's
details in the TextBox.
// Call the methods Step 4: Call the methods StartEngine() and StopEngine()
myCar.StartEngine(); to display messages.
myCar.StopEngine();
}
}
Key Differences Between Classes and Objects
• Definition vs. Instance: A class is a definition or blueprint, whereas an object is an actual instance of the class.
• Memory Allocation: A class itself doesn't occupy memory, but each object created from the class does.
• Reusability: You can create multiple objects from the same class, each with different attribute values.
Analogy: Blueprint vs. House
• Class as a Blueprint: Think of a class as a blueprint for a house. The blueprint defines the layout, dimensions,
and design.
• Object as a House: An object is the actual house built using that blueprint. You can build many houses from the
same blueprint, each on a different plot of land (with different attribute values like paint color or garden size).
Conclusion
• Classes provide the structure and behavior that objects will have.
• Objects are instances of classes that have specific values for their attributes and can perform actions defined by
their methods.
