What is the difference between a local variable and reference variable in java?

Answer 1

Variables can be:
static
instance or
local

and based on their type, they can be:
primitive or
reference

So a variable can be local and reference at the same time.

Local variable is defined inside a method, block or inside for statement.
Variables of a reference type hold a reference to some object.

Example:
class Program {
public static void main (String [] args) {
Program p;
}
}

Here p is a reference and a local variable.

Answer 2

Ok thanks

Answer 3

every variables in java are local, if in variable is stored object it is referece to that object.