Aggregation vs Composition

Exactly right ✅

Let’s break it down simply:


🧩 Aggregation

  • Object is created outside

  • Then passed into another class

  • Loosely connected → Can exist independently

class Customer:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

class BankAccount:
    def __init__(self, customer, balance):
        self.customer = customer  # Aggregation
        self.balance = balance
cust = Customer("Maham")
acc = BankAccount(cust, 5000)
  • cust exists outside BankAccount

  • Even if acc is deleted, cust is still safe


🧱 Composition

  • Object is created inside

  • Fully owned by the outer class

  • Strong connection → Dies with the parent

class BankAccount:
    def __init__(self, name, balance):
        self.customer = Customer(name)  # Composition
        self.balance = balance
  • If BankAccount is deleted → Customer inside is gone too

Easy Summary:

Feature

Aggregation

Composition

Object created

Outside

Inside constructor

Dependency

Weak (can live alone)

Strong (lives & dies with parent)

Relationship

"Has-a"

"Owns-a"

Let me know if you want a story analogy too (like Bank hiring a person vs owning a locker).

Updated on