class in java
A class in Java is a blueprint or template for creating objects. It defines the properties (attributes) and behaviors (methods) that objects of that class will have. Here are some key aspects of a class:

Table of Contents
- 1. Properties: Also known as fields or member variables, properties represent the data associated with the class. They define the state of objects created from the class.
- 2. Methods: Methods define the behaviors or actions that objects of the class can perform. They encapsulate the logic and operations that manipulate the data of the class.
- 3. Encapsulation: Classes encapsulate data and behavior into a single unit. This helps in organizing and managing code by hiding the internal implementation details from external users.
- 4. Access Modifiers: Access modifiers such as ‘public’, ‘private’, and ‘protected’ control the visibility and accessibility of class members. They regulate how properties and methods can be accessed by other classes.
- 5. Constructor: A constructor is a special method used for initializing objects of the class. It has the same name as the class and is invoked automatically when an object is created.
- 6. Instance Variables vs. Static Variables: Instance variables belong to individual objects and have unique values for each object. Static variables are shared among all objects of the class and have the same value across instances.
- 7. Inheritance: Classes can inherit properties and methods from other classes through inheritance. This promotes code reuse and supports the creation of hierarchical relationships between classes.
- 8. Object Creation: Objects are instances of classes created using the new keyword followed by the class name and optional constructor arguments.
- 9. Class Declaration Syntax: The syntax for declaring a class in Java includes the ‘class’ keyword followed by the class name, optional superclass (for inheritance), and class body enclosed in curly braces ‘{}’.
Example of a simple class declaration
public class Car {
// Properties
String make;
String model;
int year;
// Constructor
public Car(String make, String model, int year) {
this.make = make;
this.model = model;
this.year = year;
}
// Method
public void drive() {
System.out.println("Driving the " + year + " " + make + " " + model);
}
}
In summary, a class in Java serves as a blueprint for creating objects with defined properties and behaviors, encapsulating data and functionality into a cohesive unit.