In this tutorial, we will learn about classes and objects in Java with the help of examples.
Java is an object-oriented programming language. The core concept of the object-oriented approach is to break complex problems into smaller objects.
An object is any entity that has a state and behavior. For example, a bicycle is an object. It has
Before we learn about objects, let’s first know about classes in Java.
A class is a blueprint for the object. Before we create an object, we first need to define the class.
We can think of the class as a sketch (prototype) of a house. It contains all the details about the floors, doors, windows, etc. Based on these descriptions we build the house. House is the object.
Since many houses can be made from the same description, we can create many objects from a class.
We can create a class in Java using the class keyword. For example,
class ClassName {
// fields
// methods
}
Here, fields
(variables) and methods represent the state and behavior of the object respectively.
For our bicycle
object, we can create the class as
class Bicycle {
// state or field
private int gear = 5;
// behavior or method
public void braking() {
System.out.println("Working of Braking");
}
}
In the above example, we have created a class named Bicycle
. It contains a field named gear
and a method named braking()
.
Here, Bicycle
is a prototype. Now, we can create any number of bicycles using the prototype. And, all the bicycles will share the fields and methods of the prototype.
Note: We have used keywords private and public. These are known as access modifiers. To learn more, visit Java access modifiers.
An object is called an instance of a class. For example, suppose Bicycle is a class then MountainBicycle, SportsBicycle, TouringBicycle, etc can be considered as objects of the class.
Creating an Object in Java Here is how we can create an object of a class.
className object = new className();
// for Bicycle class
Bicycle sportsBicycle = new Bicycle();
Bicycle touringBicycle = new Bicycle();
We have used the new
keyword along with the constructor of the class to create an object. Constructors are similar to methods and have the same name as the class. For example, Bicycle()
is the constructor of the Bicycle
class. To learn more, visit Java Constructors.
Here, sportsBicycle
and touringBicycle
are the names of objects. We can use them to access fields and methods of the class.
As you can see, we have created two objects of the class. We can create multiple objects of a single class in Java.
Note: Fields and methods of a class are also called members of the class.
We can use the name of objects along with the .
operator to access members of a class. For example,
class Bicycle {
// field of class
int gear = 5;
// method of class
void braking() {
...
}
}
// create object
Bicycle sportsBicycle = new Bicycle();
// access field and method
sportsBicycle.gear;
sportsBicycle.braking();
In the above example, we have created a class named Bicycle
. It includes a field named gear
and a method named braking()
. Notice the statement,
Bicycle sportsBicycle = new Bicycle();
Here, we have created an object of Bicycle named sportsBicycle. We then use the object to access the field and method of the class.
sportsBicycle.gear
- access the field gearsportsBicycle.braking()
- access the method braking()
We have mentioned the word method quite a few times. You will learn about Java methods in detail in the next chapter.
Now that we understand what is class and object. Let’s see a fully working example.
class Lamp {
// stores the value for light
// true if light is on
// false if light is off
boolean isOn;
// method to turn on the light
void turnOn() {
isOn = true;
System.out.println("Light on? " + isOn);
}
// method to turnoff the light
void turnOff() {
isOn = false;
System.out.println("Light on? " + isOn);
}
}
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// create objects led and halogen
Lamp led = new Lamp();
Lamp halogen = new Lamp();
// turn on the light by
// calling method turnOn()
led.turnOn();
// turn off the light by
// calling method turnOff()
halogen.turnOff();
}
}
Light on? true
Light on? false
In the above program, we have created a class named Lamp
. It contains a variable: isOn
and two methods: turnOn()
and turnOff()
.
Inside the Main
class, we have created two objects: led
and halogen
of the Lamp
class. We then used the objects to call the methods of the class.
led.turnOn()
- It sets the isOn variable to true and prints the output.halogen.turnOff()
- It sets the isOn variable to false and prints the output.The variable isOn
defined inside the class is also called an instance variable. It is because when we create an object of the class, it is called an instance of the class. And, each instance will have its own copy of the variable.
That is, led
and halogen
objects will have their own copy of the isOn
variable.
Note that in the previous example, we have created objects inside another class and accessed the members from that class.
However, we can also create objects inside the same class.
class Lamp {
// stores the value for light
// true if light is on
// false if light is off
boolean isOn;
// method to turn on the light
void turnOn() {
isOn = true;
System.out.println("Light on? " + isOn);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
// create an object of Lamp
Lamp led = new Lamp();
// access method using object
led.turnOn();
}
}
Light on? true
Here, we are creating the object inside the main()
method of the same class.