National Teaching and Learning Change ProgrammeInformation and Communication Technology: Dictionary

Object oriented programming uses the concept of self-contained objects, which contain both program routines and the data being processed. A program is split down into smaller units, called objects, which can then be used by other objects to build a more complex system. Object oriented programs are more reliable because the objects are self-contained, simple and so easier to program. The same types of object may be able to be used in different contexts within a program and there is no hierarchical structure as in traditional top-down design.