Final answer:
When a method returns an object that is an instance of a class, it actually returns a reference to that object.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a method returns an object that is an instance of a class, it actually returns a reference to that object. In other words, the method returns the memory address where the object is stored, rather than the actual object itself.
This concept is important in object-oriented programming, where objects are usually manipulated through their references. By returning a reference to an object, a method allows other parts of the program to access and interact with that object.
For example, imagine a class called 'Car' with a method called 'getEngine'. When the 'getEngine' method is called, it might return an object of type 'Engine'. What the method is actually returning is a reference to the 'Engine' object, which can then be used to access the properties and methods of the engine.