Objectpaired

Objectpaired is a term used in computer science to describe a construct that binds two distinct objects into a single composite unit to express a defined relationship between them. The concept treats the pairing as a first-class data structure while preserving the individuality of each component.

In practice, an objectpaired can be realized as a small container containing references to two objects and optional metadata that describes the relation between them. Common representations include a pair or tuple in code, an object with fields such as left, right, and relation, or a lightweight structure that stores two pointers and a connection type. In JSON-like formats, an objectpaired might appear as an object with fields for the two components and a descriptor of their relationship.

Semantics of an objectpaired vary by context. In some models, the relationship is undirected, meaning the linkage holds equally for both objects. In others, the pair is directional, with a defined left and right element and possibly weights, constraints, or directional logic attached to the pairing. The choice of semantics influences traversal, mutation rules, and how the pair participates in larger data structures.

Implementation considerations include immutability for thread-safety, serialization efficiency, and memory overhead. Objectpaired structures are commonly used in programming languages through built-in pair or tuple types, records, or small classes. They are also employed in data interchange to capture bidirectional links or matched-element relationships in graphs, matching algorithms, and co-ownership models.

See also: pair, tuple, graph edge, association, object graph.