VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

252-0237-00L 8 Credits DZ , SHE , MSC , WBZ D-BSSE , D-INFK , D-MATH
You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Concepts of Object-Oriented Programming

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Peter Müller
VVZ CR 4.09

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:16:46

Abstract

Course that focuses on an in-depth understanding of object-oriented programming and compares designs of object-oriented programming languages. Topics include different flavors of type systems, inheritance models, encapsulation in the presence of aliasing, object and class initialization, program correctness, reflection

Objective

After this course, students will: Have a deep understanding of advanced concepts of object-oriented programming and their support through various language features. Be able to understand language concepts on a semantic level and be able to compare and evaluate language designs. Be able to learn new languages more rapidly. Be aware of many subtle problems of object-oriented programming and know how to avoid them.

Content

The main goal of this course is to convey a deep understanding of the key concepts of sequential object-oriented programming and their support in different programming languages. This is achieved by studying how important challenges are addressed through language features and programming idioms. In particular, the course discusses alternative language designs by contrasting solutions in languages such as C++, C#, Eiffel, Java, Python, and Scala. The course also introduces novel ideas from research languages that may influence the design of future mainstream languages. The topics discussed in the course include among others: The pros and cons of different flavors of type systems (for instance, static vs. dynamic typing, nominal vs. structural, syntactic vs. behavioral typing) The key problems of single and multiple inheritance and how different languages address them Generic type systems, in particular, Java generics, C# generics, and C++ templates The situations in which object-oriented programming does not provide encapsulation, and how to avoid them The pitfalls of object initialization, exemplified by a research type system that prevents null pointer dereferencing How to maintain the consistency of data structures

Resources

Literature

Will be announced in the lecture.

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DZ , SHE , MSC , WBZ
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
Mode
written 120 minutes
Aids
keine
The end-term exam will take two hours. There will be a graded mid-term exam of 45mins around the middle of the semester. The mid-term acts as a bonus, that is, may improve the grade, but will not make it worse. In the positive case, the mid-term has a weight of 20%

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Concepts of Object-Oriented Programming
  • Thu 09:15-12:00 (HG E 1.1)
3 h weekly
exercise Concepts of Object-Oriented Programming
  • Fri 08:15-10:00 (CAB G 57)
  • Fri 08:15-10:00 (CHN D 42)
  • Fri 10:15-12:00 (CAB G 57)
  • Fri 10:15-12:00 (CHN D 42)
  • Fri 10:15-12:00 (CHN D 44)
2 h weekly
independent project Concepts of Object-Oriented Programming No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In