In a thought-provoking presentation titled ‘The Big OOPs: Anatomy of a Thirty-Five-Year Mistake,’ Casey Muratori delves into the historical trajectory and implications of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). Over the span of two hours, Muratori challenges conventional software development paradigms, questioning the legacy and efficiency of organizing software with an object-focused approach.
Tracing its origins back to pioneering languages like Simula and APT and leading through to contemporary staples like Smalltalk and C++, Muratori paints a comprehensive picture of how OOP became a dominant force in the programming world. The presentation meticulously chronicles the evolution of key components, such as class hierarchies and virtual functions, that have played pivotal roles in shaping today’s programming methodologies.
Muratori presents a compelling argument that while OOP has become a fixture in software development over the past three and a half decades, its widespread adoption may stem from misconceptions about its effectiveness. He suggests a paradigm shift might be necessary—one that favors organizing software around systems rather than specific objects, thus questioning the traditional boundaries set by OOP.
Muratori’s analysis, grounded in extensive research and examination of primary source material, highlights the importance of continually questioning established coding practices. As the software industry progresses, there is value in reassessing past decisions to pave the way for more effective programming techniques.

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Casey Muratori presents a critical analysis of Object-Oriented Programming's 35-year dominance in software development, arguing that OOP's widespread adoption may be based on misconceptions about its effectiveness. He traces OOP's evolution from early languages like Simula to modern staples like C++, examining key components such as class hierarchies and virtual functions. Muratori advocates for a paradigm shift toward organizing software around systems rather than objects, challenging developers to reassess established coding practices.