When should I use instance methods in programming?

Can you explain when to use instance methods in programming?

Instance methods are used when you need to operate on data that belongs to a specific instance of a class.

What’s the difference between instance methods and class methods?

Instance methods require an object of the class to be called, while class methods can be called on the class itself without an instance.

Can you give me an example of an instance method?

Sure! In a class Car, an instance method could be start_engine(), which operates on the specific car instance.

Are there any performance considerations when using instance methods?

Yes, instance methods can be slower than class methods due to the overhead of creating an instance, but they are essential for encapsulating behavior.