In object-oriented programming, what is a class?

A class in object-oriented programming serves as a blueprint for creating objects. This blueprint defines the properties (often referred to as attributes or fields) and methods (functions or procedures) that the objects created from the class will have. Each object generated from the class can have its own unique state, but it inherits the structure and behavior defined by the class.

When you define a class, you specify the data that the objects will contain and the operations that can be performed on that data. This encapsulation of data and behavior allows for better organization, code reusability, and abstraction in programming. For instance, if you have a class called "Car," it might define properties like "color" and "make" and methods like "drive" and "stop." Each instance of the class (each individual car) will have specific values for those properties while sharing the same methods.

This understanding of classes is crucial in developing applications that use object-oriented principles effectively, enabling you to create complex systems by assembling simple components.