We can summarize the topics we have explored in this chapter as follows.
Object-oriented programming is not simply a collection of features added to a programming language. Rather, it is a new way of thinking
The Object-oriented paradigm views a program as a community of agents, termed objects. Each object is responsible for a specific task. Organizing an object-oriented program is like organizing a group of individuals, such as a club or committee.
An object is an encapsulation of state (data values) and behavior (operations).
The behavior of objects is dictated by the object class. Objects of the same class will have the same behavior.
An object will exhibit its behavior by invoking a method (similar to executing a procedure) in response to a message.
Objects and classes extend the concept of abstract data types by adding the notion of inheritance.
In subsequent chapters we will examine all of these ideas in much greater detail.