abstract class
<programming> In object-oriented programming, a class designed only as a
parent from which sub-classes may be derived, but which is not itself suitable
for instantiation. Often used to "abstract out" incomplete sets of features
which may then be shared by a group of sibling sub-classes which add different
variations of the missing pieces.
(1994-11-08)
Nearby terms:
ABSET « absolute path « absolute pathname « abstract
class » abstract data type » abstract interpretation »
abstraction
