Object-oriented programming is a popular programming model. There are standard concepts that all object-oriented programming languages support, such as encapsulation, inheritance, and strong typing. OpenEdge provides language extensions to support these standard object-oriented programming concepts in a way that is commonly available in other object-oriented languages, such as Java.

These object-oriented extensions complement the basic power of ABL, and its procedural programming model, with an alternative programming model that seamlessly coexists with applications written using the procedural programming model. Thus, the object-oriented extensions continue to support the core features of ABL—business orientation, high productivity, and ease of use. These core features represent the true power of ABL that differentiate it from other development languages.