Objects vs. Variables

[Jacob Michaels]

Can anyone please explain the difference between Objects and Variables? Are all Variables created in Java considered Objects?
Thanks for any responses!

[Ernest Friedman-Hill]

Read this. It's exactly what you need.

[Jacob Michaels]

So would you agree or disagree that all variables created in Java are Objects?
Thanks!

[Bear Bibeault]

No variables that you create in Java are objects. A variable is either a primitive type (such as int) or an object reference.
This is a tremendously important concept.
When you create a variable of a primitive type:

int x;

The variable contains an integer value (in this case uninitialized).
But when you declare an object variable:

Integer x;

no Integer object exists until you create one and assign it to the variable as in

x = new Integer( 213 );

The variable is merely a holder for the reference to the actual object.
hth,
bear
[ September 16, 2003: Message edited by: Bear Bibeault ]