What type of relationship does composition signify in object-oriented programming?

In object-oriented programming, composition signifies a "has-a" relationship between classes. This means that one class (the whole or container) is made up of one or more instances of other classes (the parts or components). In this context, the composed class contains and manages the lifecycle of its components; when the composite object is destroyed, the contained objects are typically also destroyed. This creates a strong relationship between the containing class and its components, where the existence of the parts is closely tied to the whole.

For instance, consider a class Car that is composed of various components such as Engine, Wheel, and Seat. Here, the Car "has-a" Engine, which indicates that the Engine is an essential part of the Car. This relationship helps in organizing code more intuitively, allowing for better encapsulation and separation of concerns within the system.

The other options refer to different types of relationships; for instance, an "is-a" relationship denotes inheritance and suggests a relationship where a derived class is a subtype of a base class. This does not apply to composition, as composition is more about ownership and containment rather than a hierarchical relationship. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial for applying the principles of object