Subobject

The term subobject is used in object-oriented programming. Subobject means a subobject of a complex object, i.e. the value of an attribute with object type. In object-oriented design, a distinction is made between exclusive and common subobjects.

An exclusive subobject is specifically understood to be a subobject that is used exclusively in a complex object. Due to this exclusive use, the existence of exclusive subobjects is generally linked to the existence of complex objects. An exclusive subobject is therefore created and deleted together with its parent complex object.

A common sub object is a subobject that can be used simultaneously in multiple complex objects. Because of this multiple use, the existence of a common subobject is independent of the existence of complex objects. A common subobject is therefore created and deleted independently of its parent complex objects.