class vs object vs instance in PHP OOP

A class is a "blueprint" that can be used to "instantiate" different "objects".

So for instance let's go with a simple example such as a Car.

You could have a class called Car that specifies the different properties and methods that a car may contain.

Now let's say you want to "create" your first Car using the Car class as a blueprint.

Let's call our first car $car_one

To create our $car_one "object" we will use the statement $car_one = new Car();

The "new" keyword tells PHP that you want a new "instance" of the Car class

Now $car_one is an object that is an "instance" of the Car class

You can now access the different properties and methods defined by the Car class "blueprint". Example: $car_one->start();

Hopefully I didn't confuse you, but let me try to sum it up.

A class is a "blueprint" that can be used to make different "instances". Those different instances are objects of the class which was used to create them.

What do you think about the following example?

$car_one = new Car(); $car_two = new Car(); $car_three = new Car(); All these cars are different instances

But they are ALL "objects" of the Car class.

https://alfredjava.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/class-vs-object-vs-instance/

Yeah you are right. That makes more sense.

So all the cars are Car objects, but different instances.