Introduction

A Java class is a blueprint or prototype that defines the variables and methods common to all objects of a certain type. A Java class also defines the implementation of a particular kind of object. It is with these classes that you can create Java applications. In general, Java objects are created from Java classes.

A Java object is a collection of related variables and methods written in the Java language utilizing the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The data associated with a class or object is stored in variables. The behavior associated with a class or object is implemented with methods. Methods are similar to the functions or procedures in procedural languages such as C.

Java software objects interact and communicate with each other using messages. Additional information that the receiving object may need to perform its task is passed by parameters.

For more information on Java technology, go to www.oracle.com/java.