object prototypes

Object prototypes are like blueprints for creating objects in programming, particularly in JavaScript. They define shared properties and behaviors that objects can inherit, reducing redundancy. When you create a new object, it references a prototype, allowing it to access common features without copying them. This system makes code more efficient and adaptable, as updates to the prototype automatically affect all objects linked to it. Think of prototypes as templates that streamline the creation of related objects and facilitate inheritance of shared characteristics.