Java: Is "reference variable of a class" same as "an object of that class"?

In context to Java programming,

Is "reference variable of a class" same as "an object of that class"?

Also for a code like

class Sample
{
int a, b;
public static void main(String arg[])
{
int c;
// other statements
}
}

Among the variables a,b, c which are the class variables.

Is there a difference between variable a/b and variable c as far as their scope is concerned? Posted in: #Java

I assume you like to know the difference between, Instance variable and local variable.

There is certainly scope difference between variable "a" and "c".
"a/b" are class/instance variables .
"c" is a local variable defined inside the method.
scope of "a/b" is associated to instance of class, object, just like method, in your program main() method.
Better go through full tutorial of varial type and do some practice.
Java - Variable Types

You question is confusing, what exactly you are looking far?

Reference variable is not same as Object.Both are different.

Object loads the non-static members (methods/variables) and the reference variable points to that object.Reference Variables are used for programmers convenience.

And in the above program,

a and b are called class variables.Also can be called as Non-static variables.

 c is called static variable and is a local variable to main method.