What is the difference between a class and an object in object-oriented programming?

A class is a template or blueprint for creating objects, defining their properties (variables) and behavior (methods).

An object is a specific, tangible instance of a class. Each object has its own property values but shares the behavior definition specified by the class.

Example:

<?php
// Definition of the Car class
class Car {
    // Properties
    public $brand;
    public $model;

    // Method
    public function startEngine() {
        echo "Engine started!";
    }
}

// Creating an object (instance of the Car class)
$myCar = new Car();

// Assigning values to the object's properties
$myCar->brand = "Toyota";
$myCar->model = "Camry";

// Calling the object's method
$myCar->startEngine();
?>

In this example:

• Car is the class.
• $myCar is an object, an instance of the Car class.
• $brand and $model are class/object properties.
• startEngine() is a class/object method.

You can create many objects from one class, each with unique property values.