an extensible programme-code-template for creating objects, providing initial values for state (member variables) and implementations of behaviour (member functions or methods) in object-oriented programming

set of ideas, abstractions or things in the real world that are identified with explicit boundaries and meaning and whose properties and behaviour follow the same rules

NOTE 1 to entry Some ISO/TC 204 documents use the term “object class” for consistency with ISO 11179-1, but within ITS, the term “class” is more generally understood.

NOTE 2 to entry This is semantically equivalent to a “class” as used within UML (ISO 19505-2:2012).

[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 11179-1:2015, 3.3.18, modified — term changed to from “object class” to “class” and Notes to entry added.]