"Object" vs "Object Variable" in Java?

java, object

Solution

It's a synonym of "instance variable":

class A {
    static int m;  // <-- class variable
    int n;         // <-- instance variable
    ...
}

Evidently, this term is not so commonly used, and it would better to avoid any potential ambiguities by just sticking with "instance variable".

Problem

I am teaching myself Java, and one of the review exercises in my book asks for the difference between an "object" and an "object variable." I know what an object is (a specific instance of a class), but I can't seem to find the term "object variable" anywhere in the book (no answers section) or on the internet. Does anyone know the meaning of this term?

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