What is method?

A method is a block of code that belongs to an object or a class and performs a specific task. Think of it like a small machine inside a program: you give it some input (called parameters), it does something with that input, and then it gives you back a result (called a return value). In everyday terms, a method is just a named action you can ask an object to do.

Let's break it down

  • Object/Class: The thing that owns the method. For example, a “Car” object might have a method called “startEngine”.
  • Name: Every method has a name so you can call it, like “startEngine”.
  • Parameters (optional): Information you pass into the method so it knows what to work with, like the speed you want to set.
  • Body: The actual code that runs when you call the method.
  • Return value (optional): The result the method gives back after it finishes, like the current speed of the car.

Why does it matter?

Methods let programmers organize code into reusable, easy‑to‑understand pieces. Instead of writing the same steps over and over, you write them once in a method and call it whenever you need it. This makes programs shorter, less error‑prone, and easier to maintain.

Where is it used?

  • Object‑Oriented Programming (OOP) languages such as Java, C#, Python, and Ruby.
  • APIs and libraries where functions are packaged as methods.
  • Mobile apps, web applications, games, and any software that follows OOP principles.
  • Frameworks like React (methods inside components) or Django (methods in models).

Good things about it

  • Reusability: Write once, use many times.
  • Readability: Clear names describe what the code does.
  • Encapsulation: Keeps related data and behavior together, protecting internal details.
  • Testing: Small methods are easier to test individually.
  • Maintainability: Updating a method updates all places that use it.

Not-so-good things

  • Over‑engineering: Too many tiny methods can make code harder to follow.
  • Performance overhead: In some languages, calling many methods can be slower than inline code.
  • Complexity for beginners: Understanding objects, parameters, and return values can be confusing at first.
  • Tight coupling: If methods depend heavily on each other, changing one can break many parts of the program.