Classes

Abstract

This chapter introduces the concept of a class, a way to associate data and code. A class defines a set of objects that are defined by a set variables and a set of procedures, which are termed methods, that make use of those variables. In the previous chapter, I showed the use of arrays to hold similar items of information. The technique of using a set of such arrays is termed parallel structures. Classes are a more structured way to model things, with the models consisting of information and behavior. I want to inspire you to view defining classes as a way to make programming easy and practical and not the application of some abstract technique.