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A relationship in which an object contains one or more other subordinate objects as part of its state. The subordinate objects typically have no independent existence separate from their containing object. When the containing object has no further useful existence, neither do the subordinate objects. For instance, a gas station object might contain several pump objects. These pumps will only exist as long as the station does. Aggregation is also referred to as the has-a relationship, to distinguish it from the is-a relationship, which refers to inheritance.
- Browse Related Terms: abstract, aggregation, class inheritance, has-a relationship, Hash Function, hierarchy, implements clause, inheritance, inheritance hierarchy, interface inheritance, is-a relationship, multiple inheritance, sibling sub classes, single inheritance, sub class, Super, upcast
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