Which of the following is a programming paradigm that uses objects to represent data and methods?

The correct answer highlights Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) as the programming paradigm that centers around the concept of "objects." In OOP, objects are instances of classes that encapsulate both data and methods that operate on that data. This allows for a structured approach to programming that promotes code reusability, scalability, and a more intuitive mapping to real-world entities.

In contrast to other paradigms mentioned, OOP enables encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, which enhances the modularity and organization of code. Each object can maintain its own state and behavior, making it easy to manage and model complex systems. This approach fosters a clear structure where data and behavior are intertwined, allowing for better maintenance and collaboration among developers.

Other programming paradigms have their own distinct characteristics. Functional programming focuses on the evaluation of mathematical functions and avoids changing-state and mutable data. Procedural programming organizes code based on procedures or routines, emphasizing a sequence of actions to be performed. Declarative programming, on the other hand, entails expressing the logic of a computation without describing its control flow, often seen in languages like SQL or HTML. These paradigms do not center on the concept of objects in the same way that Object-Oriented Programming does, which is why the