An object combines an identity, state and operations exposed through an object interface. Distinct software objects can hold equal data while remaining different by object identity. Reference aliasing occurs when multiple references designate the same object, so a state update through one reference can affect observations through another.
An operation invoked on a software object that can read or modify that receiver's state. Its contract specifies accepted inputs and effects. Dynamic dispatch can select an overriding implementation according to the receiver's concrete software class; method overloading instead selects among different signatures using static type information.
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