[FIXED] What exactly is an instance in Java?

Issue

What is the difference between an object, instance, and reference? They say that they have to create an instance to their application? What does that mean?

Solution

An object and an instance are the same thing.

Personally I prefer to use the word "instance" when referring to a specific object of a specific type, for example "an instance of type Foo". But when talking about objects in general I would say "objects" rather than "instances".

A reference either refers to a specific object or else it can be a null reference.

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They say that they have to create an instance to their application. What does it mean?

They probably mean you have to write something like this:

Foo foo = new Foo();

If you are unsure what type you should instantiate you should contact the developers of the application and ask for a more complete example.

Answered By - Mark Byers

Answer Checked By - Terry (PHPFixing Volunteer)