Editing Metaclass (section)

{{Short description|A metaclass describes commen behaviour for classes, like a class does for objects}}
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In [[object-oriented programming]], a '''metaclass''' is a [[Class (computer science)|class]] whose [[Instance (computer programming)|instances]] are classes themselves. Unlike ordinary classes, which define the behaviors of objects, metaclasses specify the behaviors of classes and their instances. Not all object-oriented [[programming languages]] support the concept of metaclasses. For those that do, the extent of control metaclasses have over class behaviors varies. Metaclasses are often implemented by treating classes as [[first-class citizen|first-class citizens]], making a metaclass an object that creates and manages these classes. Each programming language adheres to its own [[metaobject protocol]], which are the rules that determine interactions among objects, classes, and metaclasses.<ref>{{cite book|author=Ira R. Forman and Scott Danforth|title=Putting Metaclasses to Work|year=1999|publisher=Addison-Wesley |isbn=0-201-43305-2}}</ref> Metaclasses are utilized to automate code generation and to enhance framework development.<ref>{{cite book |last1=AloorRavi |first1=Sulekha |title=Metaprogramming with Python |date=2022 |publisher=Packt Publishing |location=Birmingham}}</ref>