Differences Between a Class and an Object in Java

Class

In Java, a class is a blueprint or template for creating objects. It defines the structure, behavior, and properties that objects of that class will have.

A class can contain fields (variables) and methods (functions) that define the data and behavior of the objects created from it.

Classes are used to create objects, encapsulate data, and define reusable code blocks.

Object

An object in Java is an instance of a class. It represents a real-world entity or concept and has its own state (data) and behavior (methods).

Objects are created using constructors of the class and can interact with each other by calling methods or accessing fields of other objects.

Each object created from a class will have its own separate memory space and can have different values for its variables.

Main Differences

• A class is a blueprint or template, while an object is an instance of that template.
• Classes define the structure and behavior, while objects represent specific instances with their own data and behavior.
• Multiple objects can be created from the same class, each with its own state and behavior.
• Classes are static, while objects are dynamic and can change at runtime.

Understanding the differences between classes and objects is essential in object-oriented programming in Java.