Certainly! Here is an SEO-friendly HTML answer for the interview question "Can you explain the difference between object-oriented programming and functional programming, and discuss when you would choose one approach over the other in a software development project?":

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Difference Between Object-Oriented Programming and Functional Programming

Object-oriented programming (OOP) and functional programming (FP) are two primary paradigms in software development.

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP):

In OOP, programs are designed around objects that encapsulate data and behavior. It focuses on defining classes and creating objects to interact with each other through methods.

Functional Programming (FP):

FP treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions and avoids changing state and mutable data. It emphasizes immutability and the use of pure functions.

Choosing Between OOP and FP in Software Development:

When deciding between OOP and FP in a software project, consider the complexity of the problem, the scalability requirements, the team's expertise, and the project's specific goals.

If the project involves complex interactions between different objects and entities, OOP might be a better choice. On the other hand, if the focus is on data transformations and functional purity without side effects, FP could be more suitable.

Ultimately, the choice between OOP and FP depends on the project's requirements and the strengths of each paradigm in addressing those requirements.

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