What are the main principles of OOP?

The main principles of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) are:

1. Encapsulation: Encapsulation is the process of bundling data and methods together into a single unit called an object. It allows the object to control access to its internal state and behavior, ensuring that data is accessed and modified only through defined methods. Encapsulation helps in achieving data hiding and abstraction, making the code more modular and maintainable.

2. Inheritance: Inheritance is a mechanism that allows a class to inherit properties and behaviors from another class. It promotes code reuse and hierarchical organization of classes. The class that is being inherited from is called the superclass or base class, and the class that inherits from it is called the subclass or derived class. Inheritance enables the subclass to inherit and extend the functionality of the superclass, facilitating code reuse and promoting the concept of "is-a" relationship.

3. Polymorphism: Polymorphism allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass. It enables the same method to be used with objects of different classes, providing flexibility and extensibility. Polymorphism can be achieved through method overriding and method overloading. Method overriding allows a subclass to provide a different implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass, while method overloading allows multiple methods with the same name but different parameters to coexist in a class.

4. Abstraction: Abstraction is the process of simplifying complex systems by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable units. It focuses on the essential features and hides unnecessary details, allowing users to interact with objects at a higher level of abstraction. Abstraction is achieved through abstract classes and interfaces, which define a common set of methods that subclasses must implement. It helps in reducing complexity, improving code maintainability, and promoting code reusability.

These principles form the foundation of Object-Oriented Programming and provide a structured approach to designing and implementing software systems. By adhering to these principles, developers can create modular, reusable, and maintainable code that is easier to understand and extend.