--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I made up the term \"object-oriented,\" and…" description: "\"I made up the term \"object-oriented,\" and I can tell you I did not have C++ in mind.\" — Alan Kay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbe/alan-kay-7358_computer-language_i-made-up-the-term-object-oriented-and-i_1829276.jpg" --- # I made up the term "object-oriented," and I can tell you I… ![“I made up the term "object-oriented," and I can tell you I did not have C++ in mind.” quote by Alan Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbe/alan-kay-7358_computer-language_i-made-up-the-term-object-oriented-and-i_1829276.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbe/alan-kay-7358_computer-language_i-made-up-the-term-object-oriented-and-i_1829276.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbe/alan-kay-7358_computer-language_i-made-up-the-term-object-oriented-and-i_1829276.jpg) > “I made up the term "object-oriented," and I can tell you I did not have C++ in mind.” [Alan Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The term “object‑oriented” was coined without C++ in mind, emphasizing conceptual design over language. **In simple terms:** Coined before C++. Key Takeaway Focus on design principles first. Themes software design programming history Mood analytical historical Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - software architecture - teaching programming - legacy code analysis Key Concepts object‑orientation abstraction Questions to Reflect On - Does naming influence language evolution? - How do concepts survive beyond specific tools? 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