Classes and Objects: A class has data and methods.

• Textbook Example:

• A car class may have the following methods:

  • startEngine()
  • move()

• And as data:

  • speed, numberOfDoors, numberOfSeats, ...

• Math Example

• A finite field class may have as methods:

  • add(), multiply(), subtract(), divide(), exponentiate(), computeFrobenius()

• And as data:

  • characteristic, generating polynomial, generator of multiplicative group, ...

Rings, spaces, categories, etc. can easily identified as classes or objects.

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