What is the main function of an object in object-oriented programming?

In object-oriented programming (OOP), the main function of an object is to combine data and behavior related to a specific entity into a single structure.

An object is an instance of a class that contains:

• State — the values of fields (attributes) describing the characteristics of the object.
• Behavior — methods that define what the object can do.

Thus, an object models a real or abstract entity, allowing interaction through methods while encapsulating internal implementation details.

Example in Dart (Flutter):

class Car {
  String model;
  int year;

  Car(this.model, this.year);

  void drive() {
    print('$model is driving');
  }
}

void main() {
  var car = Car('Toyota', 2020);
  car.drive(); // Outputs: Toyota is driving
}

Here, the car object combines data (model and year) and behavior (the drive method).