lifetime

The term lifetime is used here in the context of object-oriented programming languages, whereby the two terms lifetime and scope must be explicitly distinguished from each other.

The lifetime of an object is a dynamic property, i.e. a property dependent on the program run, and describes the period from the creation of an object to its termination.

However, in addition to the creation of an object, the handling of an object also includes the declaration of an identifier that is associated with the object; the object definition thus consists of the declaration of an identifier, possibly with type information, and the creation of the object. Objects are identified in object-oriented programming languages, for example, by variables or formal parameters that hold the generated object. In the validity range of their identifier, the object can be reached by this identifier.

Block-structured object-oriented programming languages distinguish different types of object definition, such as those of automatic objects and application-controlled objects, which affect the object's scope and lifetime.