r/learnjava • u/jadu2115 • 12d ago
Java Beginners: What Is an Object Actually?
I'm a Java learner and I've been learning Java for the past few months, but I still don't truly understand what an object actually is.
I've watched several YouTube videos and used AI tools to understand it, but I keep getting the same explanation: "An object is nothing but data + code."
I understand the definition, but I still can't visualize or feel what an object actually is when I'm writing Java code.
Could someone explain it in a simple, practical way, preferably with a real world analogy and a small Java example?
I feel like I'm missing one fundamental concept here. Any explanation would be really helpful. Thanks!
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u/Lumethys 12d ago
It's just that definition, anything with data and code, which is just about everything
It's like a non-English speak ask you "what is 'a thing'?"
"A thing", in pure English, everyday-life definition, is just "something that exist"
An object is just an umbrella term that describes a way to represent something that exist
"A car" can be an object, because it has data: model, price, manufacturer,... And actions: run, brake, drift, stop,...
"A monster" can be an object, because it has data: name, HP, atkDmg,... And action: attack, defense, heal,...
"A String" is an object, because it has data: characters, order of each character,... And action: toUpper(), toLower(),...