INSTANTIATED Meaning and
Definition
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The term "instantiated" refers to the process of creating an instance or occurrence of an object or concept within a programming or computational context. It is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming and refers to the transformation of a class, which is a blueprint or template, into a concrete, tangible object that can be manipulated and utilized.
When a class is instantiated, an instance of that class is created, which means that the class now exists in memory as an actual object. This process involves allocating the necessary memory and resources required to define and store the object's properties and behaviors.
Instantiation allows a class to be used and accessed, enabling the programmer to work with and manipulate individual instances of the class. Each instance is distinct from others, having its own set of attribute values that can be modified independently.
Instantiated objects can be thought of as individual entities with distinct characteristics, akin to objects in the real world. They can possess properties, perform actions, and interact with other objects in a program. The process of instantiation enables the flexibility and extensibility of object-oriented programming, as multiple instances of a class can be created, each with its own set of distinct characteristics.
In summary, "instantiated" refers to the process of creating an instance of a class, transforming a class template into a concrete, usable, and manipulable object within a programming or computational context.
Etymology of INSTANTIATED
The word "instantiated" derives from the noun "instance" and the suffix "-ate".
The noun "instance" originates from the Latin word "instantia", meaning "presence" or "urgency". In English, "instance" originally referred to an occurrence or case of something, particularly in relation to a general concept or rule.
The suffix "-ate" comes from Latin as well, commonly used to form verbs, indicating the action or state of a particular noun or adjective. It can often denote the process of making or creating something.
Therefore, the word "instantiated" is formed by combining "instance" and "-ate", and it generally refers to the act of creating an instance or concrete realization of a particular concept, object, or idea.
