What type of variable is shared across all objects in the same class?

The correct answer is the type of variable that is shared across all objects in the same class. This is called a static variable. Static variables are not tied to any specific instance of a class; rather, they belong to the class itself. This means that all instances of that class share the same static variable, and if the value of this variable is changed through one instance, the change is reflected across all instances of the class.

Static variables are commonly used to store information or state that is relevant to all instances of the class and helps in situations where the same data is needed across multiple instances, such as counters or constants related to the class.

In contrast, instance variables are unique to each object and hold data that can vary between different instances. Local variables exist only within the scope of a method and do not retain values outside of it. Global variables are accessible from any part of the code, which does not align with the encapsulation and data privacy principles of object-oriented programming. Thus, the correct identification of static variables as shared across all instances underscores their role in managing shared state in an organized manner within object-oriented programming.