In relation to my thread about choice in programming languages, I ask this question: Does object-oriented programming (and the associated languages) suck?

I became curious about this as I first started my C++ course and was looking for info on the web. I've come across many sites that debate why OOP sucks (a particularly detailed one can be found here).

When I was first thrown into Java, my first formal intro to programming, I hated OOP. I couldn't understand classes and the whole concept. I knew a little BASIC so I know about subroutines and other procedural type programming; having to deal w/ new terms for the same things pissed me off (e.g. methods vs. functions).

Now, knowing the fact that every language and programming style has it's place, what's your personal belief in OOP in regards to general programming?

Blasphemy!!

Getting serious - I don't think you can produce a large, maintenable and fully developed software application without OOP. That is why OMT was so popular as a software design technique.
Also, why do you think all this new (OOP) languages are emerging every year?

That is because (very skilled) people working in the IT bussiness use them regulary(you don't produce something if there is no customer base for your product, right?).

I'm not saying just do it because others do, but this should make you think about it...

Best regards,
Luci

I love the idea behind Object Oriented Programming (OOP). Although I learnt about it from learning PHP and that's not really even a programming language, I find the whole concept of OOP really fascinating.

When I first started creating classes, I was all over the place trying to get them to do everything and anything. Over time, I learnt from my mistakes and even though I don't consider myself an OOP expert yet, I think I do pretty well with my present library of PHP classes. Sometimes I get lucky and can re-use a class over many projects very easily... e.g. my PHP class to fetch an XML file, parse it and return the data any way I want it. When I get lucky and create powerful classes like that occasionally, I get a high that's hard to describe...