Method (computer programming): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:30, 10 September 2016

Revision as of 05:32, 10 September 2016

Line 1:

A '''method''' (or '''message''') in [[object-oriented programming]] (OOP) is a [[Procedure (computer science)|procedure]] associated with an [[Object (computer science)|object]]. An object is made up of data and behavior, which form the interface that an object presents to the outside world. Data is represented as [[Property (programming)|properties]] of the object and behavior as methods. For example, a <code>Window</code> object would have methods such as <code>open</code> and <code>close</code>, while its state (whether it is opened or closed by) would be a property.

In [[class-based programming]], methods are defined in a [[class (computer science)|class]], and objects are instances of a given class. One of the most important capabilities that a method provides is method overriding. The same name (e.g., <code>area</code>) can be used for multiple different kinds of classes. This allows the sending objects to invoke behaviors and to delegate the implementation of those behaviors to the receiving object. Method in Java programming sets the behaviour of class object. For example, an object can send an <code>area</code> message to another object and the appropriate formula is invoked whether the receiving object is a <code>rectangle</code>, <code>circle</code>, <code>triangle</code>, etc.