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What are software objects made out of?

Answer:

Computer memory.


Software Objects as Memory

It is only a slight exaggeration to say that memory (both main memory and secondary memory) is what a computer is about. The rest of the electronics — the processor chip, the buses, the power supply, the keyboard, the video card and so on — exist only to work on memory and to show what it contains. So what else could a software object be but a block of memory?

(Actually, it is not quite correct to claim that a software object is a block of memory. A software object is somewhat like a bank account — its existence is spread out and does not correspond one-to-one with any particular piece of material. But for now it is convenient and reasonably accurate to think of a software object as a chunk of memory.)

Objects (real world and software) have identity, state, and behavior.

Software objects have identity. Each is a distinct block of memory. (Just like a yellow tennis ball, each software object is a distinct individual even though it may look nearly the same as other objects of the same type.)

Software objects have state. Some of the memory that makes up a software object is used for variables which contain values. These values are the state of the object.

Software objects have behavior. Some of the memory that makes up a software object contains programs (called methods) that enable the object to "do things". The object does something when one of its method runs.


QUESTION 5:

(Review) What is the defining characteristic of the type of computer called a von Neumann computer (the type of nearly all current computers)?


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