AP® Computer Science A glossary

Reference type

Course: AP® Computer Science A Shows up in: Unit 1: Using Objects and Methods

A data type used to define objects, that is, anything that is not a primitive type. Every class defines a reference type.

Appears in the course and exam description (CED): 1.2.A.31.7.A.1

A reference type is used for objects. Each class, such as String or Plant, defines a reference type. A reference variable holds a reference to an object, or null.

String name = "Ana";  // String is a reference type
System.out.println(name.length());

Output:

3

Related terms

• Primitive type
• Object reference
• Class
• Object