Final answer:
The scope of a bean in Java programming determines how long the object will exist and where it can be accessed. There are different scopes for Java beans, such as singleton and prototype, each with different characteristics. Defining the scope allows developers to control object creation and sharing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scope of a bean in the context of computer programming refers to the lifecycle and visibility of an object. In Java programming, a bean's scope determines how long the object will exist and where it can be accessed.
There are several possible scopes for Java beans, such as singleton, prototype, request, and more. Each scope serves a specific purpose and has different characteristics regarding object creation and sharing.
For example, a singleton bean is created once and shared across the application, while a prototype bean is created each time it is requested. By defining the scope of a bean, developers can control how instances are managed and accessed.