In software development, I strive to model the real world effectively. One of my strongest tools is object orientation—it turns complex problems into clear, structured models. But first, we must ask: what defines an object? I focus on three key aspects—object name, status, and object behavior. These elements bring systems to life and make them understandable. In this article, I’ll share how I think about objects and use their behavior to design better, more realistic software systems.
What is Object Orientation?
Object orientation is a method of modeling software based on the real world. It focuses on the objects that I can identify in a specific context. These objects interact with each other to solve a problem.
In simple words, instead of just writing code that performs tasks, I build units—called objects—that carry both data and the actions that work on that data.
Why is this approach so powerful?
Because it mirrors how I see the world around me. I interact with people, devices, or services—all of which I can think of as objects with certain characteristics and abilities. Object-oriented programming allows me to represent this structure directly in code.
Now, let’s explore what makes up an object.
The Three Core Elements of an Object
So, what are objects? Every object in an object-oriented system consists of three parts:
- Name
- State
- Behavior
Each part plays a critical role. Let me explain them one by one.
Name – Clear and Unique Identification
Every object must have a unique name. This is essential. I can’t build reliable systems if two objects could be mistaken for one another.
Let’s say I’m designing a system for a logistics company. I identify the concept of a “Truck” as an object. But I don’t stop there. I give each truck a unique identifier. For example, I might use:
truck1, truck2, truckX, ortruckAlpha, truckBravo, and so on.This way, I make sure every object is unambiguous. Thanks to the unique name, I know which object I’m working with at any time.
However, naming alone doesn’t describe what the object is like. That’s where the next concept comes in.
State – Describing Static Properties
Each object has a state. This represents the static characteristics of the object—things that describe how it is right now. I use attributes to store this information.
Here’s an example. Imagine I have an object called myTruck. At a given moment, it might have the following attributes:
This means:
- My truck is driving at 100 mph
- There’s one person inside
Later, if I slow down to 60 mph, my object changes state:
It’s still the same truck, but its state is different. That’s the power of attributes. They capture the moment-to-moment reality of the object.
Now, imagine I add a second truck called yourTruck with exactly the same state:
Even though the attributes match, myTruck and yourTruck remain separate objects. Why? Because they have different names. Their identity doesn’t depend on their state alone.
This distinction is crucial in object-oriented programming.
Behavior – Defining Dynamic Capabilities
Objects don’t just sit still. They can do things. These actions define their behavior. In programming, I represent behavior through methods (also called operations).
Let’s return to the truck example. Suppose I want to let someone get into the truck. That would change the number_of_passengers attribute. But for that to happen, a method like addPassenger() must be called.
Here’s how behavior brings objects to life:
- A method runs
- The object’s state changes
- The system evolves
This dynamic side of objects is what makes object-oriented systems so flexible and powerful. They react, adapt, and respond—just like real-world entities.
Final Thoughts
By now, you can see that objects are not just chunks of data. They are living elements in a software model, they have names, which uniquely identify them, and they hold state, which captures their current situation. And they show behavior, which reflects their abilities to act and change.
So, once again: what are objects? What role do the object name, status and behavior play? They are identifiable units of logic and data, clearly separated from other parts of the system. They help me organize my code in a meaningful and structured way.
In every object I define, I bring order to complexity. Whether I’m building an app, modeling a system, or solving real-world problems—objects are always at the core.
And that’s the beauty of object orientation.
What’s Next?!
Now that you understand how object behavior shapes realistic and effective software models, it’s time to see how these concepts come together in real-world projects. In my next article, “Leveraging Applications in Requirements Modeling,” I’ll show how to apply modeling principles to practical use cases. Discover how well-designed applications bridge the gap between requirements and implementation, turning ideas into working systems that deliver real business value.
Credits: The diagrams were created with draw.io (opens in new tab).
