The spelling of the word "instantiation" can be a bit challenging due to its long and complex structure. It is pronounced /ɪnˌstænʃiˈeɪʃən/, with stress on the second syllable. The word derives from the verb "instantiate" which means to create an instance of something. In computer science, "instantiation" refers to the process of creating an object or class from a template or a blueprint. Despite its tricky spelling, "instantiation" is an essential term in the field of programming and software engineering.
Instantiation is a concept used in computer science and programming that refers to the process in which an instance of a class or object is created from a template or blueprint. It is the act of bringing an abstract concept into the realm of reality by creating a specific instance with specific values.
In object-oriented programming (OOP), a class serves as a blueprint or template that defines the properties, attributes, and behaviors that its instances or objects will have. An instance is an individual occurrence or realization of that class, with its own unique set of values for its attributes and properties. The act of creating such an instance is called instantiation.
During the instantiation process, memory is allocated to store the object's data, and the object is initialized to its initial state. This allows the object to have its own distinct identity and separate existence from other objects of the same class.
Instantiation is a fundamental concept in OOP as it enables the creation of multiple objects with similar behaviors but different data. This allows for flexibility and reusability in programming by enabling the creation of multiple instances of a single class to represent different entities or scenarios.
In summary, instantiation is the act of creating a specific instance or occurrence of a class or object with its own unique set of values, thereby bringing an abstract concept into the realm of reality.
The word "instantiation" originates from the Latin word "instantare", which means "to be present" or "to be at hand". It further developed from the Latin word "instantia" meaning "example" or "model". In the mid-19th century, the term was adopted in computer science to refer to the creation of an instance, a concrete occurrence or realization of a concept or object. It is commonly used in object-oriented programming and the field of software engineering.