In object-oriented programming, what does the behavior of an object refer to?

In object-oriented programming, the behavior of an object primarily refers to the actions that the object can perform, which is encapsulated in the methods associated with that object. Methods are functions defined within a class that allow an object to perform specific tasks, manipulate data, or interact with other objects. This encapsulation of functionality is central to the way objects operate within a program. Through methods, an object can respond to messages and provide its behaviors in a way that aligns with its defined purpose within the overall system.

Attributes, on the other hand, describe the state or properties of an object but do not define what the object can do. Classes represent the blueprint from which objects are created, outlining both attributes and methods, but they themselves are not the direct behaviors. Operations generally refer to the actions taken or functions performed, but in the context of object-oriented programming, methods are more precisely defined as the executable components that dictate an object's behavior.