An object-oriented language is a computer programming language that revolves around the concept of an object. Object-oriented languages were developed to make it easier to develop, debug, reuse, and maintain software than is possible with earlier languages. Understanding objects, and object-oriented languages, requires knowledge of the evolution of computer programming languages and data structures.

Evolution of Computer Programming Languages

Computer programming languages have evolved continually over the years. This evolution is detailed in the following examples.

Assembly Language.

The first computer programs were written in assembly language. This is a primitive type of language in which each statement corresponds to a single machine instruction; it is the most basic computer operation possible. Accomplishing anything useful takes many machine instructions. Assembly language is specific to a particular type of computer; moving the program to a different type of computer requires writing a whole new program...