What are the differences between Object-Oriented and Procedural programming in Python?

What are the differences between Object-Oriented and Procedural programming in Python?

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) focuses on objects and classes, while Procedural Programming emphasizes functions and procedures. In OOP, you encapsulate data and behavior together, promoting code reusability and modularity. In contrast, Procedural Programming structures code in a linear fashion, using functions to operate on data.

Can you give me an example of each in Python?

Sure! Here's a simple example of Procedural Programming:

def greet(name):
    return f'Hello, {name}!'

print(greet('Alice'))

And for Object-Oriented Programming:

class Greeter:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
    
    def greet(self):
        return f'Hello, {self.name}!'

greeter = Greeter('Alice')
print(greeter.greet())

What are the advantages of using OOP over Procedural programming?

OOP offers several advantages, including:

1. Encapsulation: Bundling data and methods that operate on the data.
2. Inheritance: Creating new classes based on existing ones, promoting code reuse.
3. Polymorphism: Allowing methods to do different things based on the object it is acting upon.
4. Modularity: Making it easier to manage and maintain code.

Are there any scenarios where Procedural programming is preferred?

Yes, Procedural Programming can be preferred in scenarios where the task is simple, and the overhead of creating classes and objects is unnecessary. It's often used in scripting, small programs, or when performance is critical, as it can be more straightforward and faster to execute.