In Java, classes and objects are fundamental concepts of object-oriented programming (OOP). A class serves as a blueprint or template that defines the properties and behaviors of a particular type of object. It encapsulates data and methods that operate on that data, allowing for organized and modular code. An object, on the other hand, is an instance of a class, representing a specific entity with its own state and behavior. For example, if “Car” is a class, then “myCar” could be an object of that class, possessing attributes like color and model, and methods like drive() and stop(). Understanding these concepts is crucial for effective Java programming.