How to explain an object?

Question

It\'s been years since I thought of this, but I am training some real juniors soon and need to explain what an object is to someone who doesn\'t know what it is.

B

Answer 1

I prefer the approach used in "Object-Oriented Design and Patterns" by Hortsmann. If I recall correctly, the approach was to read a problem statement and identify the objects, their methods, relations, and other components using a simple pattern. For instance, an object is a noun, so all nouns would be candidate objects.

The book itself is highly recommended. After establishing what an object is, it uses some clearly defined and simple examples to discuss inheritance, interfaces, and many design patterns like the singleton.

Haha...so I guess I really suggest you let someone else do it... an author(ity).