Describe the difference between object-oriented programming and procedural programming, and provide an example of when you would use each.

Associate Software Engineer Interview Question: Difference between Object-oriented Programming and Procedural Programming

Object-oriented programming (OOP) and procedural programming are two popular programming paradigms with distinct differences in how they structure and organize code. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between the two:

Object-oriented Programming (OOP)

1. Focuses on creating objects that encapsulate data and behavior.
2. Organizes code into classes and objects, promoting reusability and modularity.
3. Supports concepts like inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation.
4. Examples of OOP languages include Java, C++, and Python.

An example of when you would use object-oriented programming is when you need to model real-world entities with properties and behaviors. For instance, creating a class "Car" with properties like "make," "model," and methods like "drive" and "stop" would be a good use case for OOP.

Procedural Programming

1. Focuses on writing code as a series of procedures or functions.
2. Uses functions to perform tasks and manipulate data.
3. Follows a step-by-step approach to problem-solving.
4. Examples of procedural programming languages include C, Pascal, and Fortran.

An example of when you would use procedural programming is for tasks that are sequential and do not require complex data structures. For example, writing a program to calculate the sum of numbers in an array would be a suitable scenario for procedural programming.

Understanding the differences between object-oriented programming and procedural programming is crucial for software engineers as it helps in choosing the right approach based on the requirements of the project.