OOP Term | Definition |
method | Same as function, but the typical OO notation is used
for the call, ie, f(x,y) is written x.f(y) where x is an object
of class that contains this f method. |
send a message | Call a function (method) |
instantiate | Allocate a class/struct object (ie, instance) with new |
class | A struct with both data and functions |
object | Memory allocated to a class/struct. Often allocated with new. |
member | A field or function is a member of a class if it's defined in that class |
constructor | Function-like code that initializes new objects (structs) when they
instantiated (allocated with new). |
destructor | Function-like code that is called when an object is deleted
to free any resources (eg, memory) that is has pointers to. |
inheritance | Defining a class (child) in terms of another class (parent).
All of the public members of the public class are available in the child class. |
polymorphism | Defining functions with the same name, but different parameters. |
overload | A function is overloaded if there is more than one definition. See polymorphism. |
override | Redefine a function from a parent class in a child class. |
subclass | Same as child, derived, or inherited class. |
superclass | Same as parent or base class. |
attribute | Same as data member or member field. |