abstract class

abstract class

(programming)In object-oriented programming, a classdesigned only as a parent from which sub-classes may bederived, but which is not itself suitable for instantiation.Often used to "abstract out" incomplete sets of features whichmay then be shared by a group of sibling sub-classes which adddifferent variations of the missing pieces.

abstract class

Also called an "abstract superclass," in object technology, it is a class created as a master structure. No objects of an abstract class are created, rather subclasses of the abstract class are defined with their own variations, and the subclasses are used to create the actual objects.