What is the main principle of object-oriented programming?

The main principle of object-oriented programming (OOP) revolves around the concept of creating recognizable objects that encapsulate both data and behavior. In OOP, objects are instances of classes, which can represent real-world entities, allowing developers to model complex systems more intuitively. These objects interact with one another through defined methods, which are functions associated with a class. This promotes code reusability, modularity, and a more organized structure, making programs easier to manage and extend.

By focusing on objects that have properties (attributes) and capabilities (methods), OOP enhances the clarity of code and reflects more closely the way people think about the world. It encourages abstraction, encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, which are fundamental concepts in OOP that support these interactions and promote better design principles in software development.