## Definition
A specific [[object]] created from a [[class]].
*Noun.*
> `rhidian` is an instance of the `Person` class, with its own name and age.
## Characteristics
- Used in [[object-oriented programming]];
- created through [[instantiate|instantiation]];
- is an object;
- has its own [[object state|state]], separate from other instances of the same class;
- has the [[attribute|attributes]] defined by its class;
- has the [[method|methods]] defined by its class; and
- multiple instances of the same class can exist.
## Examples
### Instance of `Person`
An `Person` object is an instance of the `Person` class.
```python
class Person:
def __init__(self, p_name, p_age):
self.name = p_name
self.age = p_age
rhidian = Person("Rhidian", 19) # an instance of the Person class
persephone = Person("Persephone", 28) # another instance of the Person class
```
## Non-examples
### Classes
The class itself is the template from which instances are made. If a class is the cookie cutter, instances are the cookies.
```python
class Person: # this is not an instance
def __init__(self, p_name, p_age):
self.name = p_name
self.age = p_age
```