What is the difference between a class and an object in Java?

Distinguishes a Java type definition from a concrete runtime instance and keeps identity, state, and polymorphism tied to the question.

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TL;DR

A class is a Java type definition that describes the fields and behavior its instances can have. An object is one concrete runtime instance of a class. For example, Order can define an identifier, item state, and a confirm method; each call to new Order(...) creates a particular order object with its own state and identity. A variable such as Order order holds a reference to an object, not the class definition itself. Static members belong to the class rather than to an individual object.

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A clear distinction among a class, an object, and a reference variable, including instance state and runtime type.

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Overview
Class and object are related but not interchangeable: one defines a type, while the other is a runtime instance.
A class is a Java type definition that describes the fields and behavior its instances can have. An object is one concrete runtime instance of a class. For example, Order can define an identifier, item state, and a confirm method; each call to new Order(...) creates a particular order object with its own state and identity. A variable such as Order order holds a reference to an object, not the class definition itself. Static members belong to the class rather than to an individual object.
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Details

Saying only that a class is a blueprint.
Using class, type, object, and variable as synonyms.
Assuming two variables always mean two objects.
Treating static state as if every instance owned a copy.

What is the difference between a class and an object in Java?

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