Instance(Object) Variable

Source: Dev.to

What is an Instance Variable in Java?

• An instance variable is a variable that belongs to an object (instance) of a class.
• Every object gets its own copy of this variable.
• Declared inside a class but outside methods.
• Its value can differ for each object.

Where are instance variables stored in memory?

• Stored in heap memory.
• Memory for these variables is allocated when a new object is created.
• They exist as long as the object exists.

Do instance variables have default values?

If not explicitly assigned, instance variables receive default values:

• short = 0
• byte = 0
• int = 0
• long = 0
• float = 0.0
• double = 0.0
• char = '\u0000'
• boolean = false
• String = null

How to access this variable?

Access instance variables through an object using the dot (.) operator:

ObjectName.variableName

Where is it declared?

Inside the class but outside any methods.

What is another name for object variables?

They are also called instance variables.