What is the difference between an "Entity" and "Value Object"?

[vahini]

I have tried to read related posts on the web but couldn't get it Can someone pls explain me with an example. Thanks in advance!

[KevinWorkman]

Could you provide us with some context? Where are you reading these?

[vahini]

I was under the assumption that "Entity" and "Value Object" are same. But they are not.
Below link has more details. I am not able to get the explanation why they are not same.

Third World Software... Development: Entity vs Value Object

Could please help me with an example..

[KevinWorkman]

Honestly, I'm not a fan of over-complicating things by trying to make them fit into design patterns. If you don't understand the purpose of a design pattern, you're probably wasting your time memorizing the terms it uses.

But check out the wikipedia page here: Domain-driven design - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From the article:

Entity: An object that is not defined by its attributes, but rather by a thread of continuity and its identity.

Example: Most airlines distinguish each seat uniquely on every flight. Each seat is an entity in this context. However, Southwest Airlines (or EasyJet/RyanAir for Europeans) does not distinguish between every seat; all seats are the same. In this context, a seat is actually a value object.

Value Object: An object that contains attributes but has no conceptual identity. They should be treated as immutable.

Example: When people exchange dollar bills, they generally do not distinguish between each unique bill; they only are concerned about the face value of the dollar bill. In this context, dollar bills are value objects. However, the Federal Reserve may be concerned about each unique bill; in this context each bill would be an entity.

[vahini]

Thanks a lot Mr. Kevin.